Whatever can be done?

I am trying to figure out how to start a petition to address the poor pay and lack of decent opportunities available to EYPs and others dedicated to improving provision in the Early Years Sector. Many of us have invested heavily in time, course fees and significant effort to improve their early years skills and career prospects.

Those who have worked hard to achieve higher levels of skill and have proven capabilities should receive suitable remuneration and acknowledgement to be valued appropriately.

At present many dedicated members of the workforce are undervalued and received no increase in status or pay following several years of intensive study. This is a disrespectful situation which does little to motivate the workforce or to sustain provision for the youngest children.

EYPs were promised that their ‘status’ would be equal though different to that of QTS. The DIFFERENCE is clearly that they will continue not to be valued as equal in financial terms. 

If qualified EYPs are not to be paid an equivalent rate to those with QTS then those that wish to engage in yet more study, should be enabled to be fast-tracked to access free additional training to achieve QTS.

At present, some providers of training for ‘Early Years Teacher with QTS’ (e.g. Teach First) do not regard Early Childhood based degrees or Early Years Professional Status as relevant or equivalent core studies to qualify to apply for this training. These providers prefer applicants to have academic core study degrees such as Maths, French or History over specific studies relating to Child Development, etc.  And will not consider applications from Early Years candidates.

This is unacceptable and damaging to the Early Years landscape and should be resolved with immediate effect.