POLL: Should Early Years Teachers have Qualified Teacher Status?

Take a look at this poll available on: http://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/26/Debate-should-early-years-teachers-have-qualifed-teacher-status#comments_id_1234674

What is an Early Years Professional?

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is a professional status for practitioners at the Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 0 - 5), which is intended to be broadly equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (ages 5 - 18) but would be specific to the precise needs of small babies and children up to six years. Introduced by the Labour Party led British government in 2007, via the Children's Workforce Development Council, EYPS courses required an Early Childhood degree (covering child development, attachment, learning and teaching theories, multi-agency working, parent partnerships, inclusive practice, etc) and included assessment of practice in early years settings.

It had been directed that by 2010, all early years children's centres (of which there were nearly 3000 in the UK) would be required to have at least one Early Years Professional (EYP), and by 2015, all full daycare settings would have been required to have at least one, which amounted to 20,000 EYPs.

Regrettably, the salary funding for Early Years Professionals was never made available to Early Years settings and following the General Election in 2010, the new Coalition Government removed the requirement for Early Years settings to employ an EYP.

During the last three years, the new Government has initiated several consultations relating to Early Years provision. Many Early Childhood Specialists and Consultants submitted reports and suggestions for areas that may be improved and developed, including how best to utilise and develop the skills of Early Years Professionals. However the Government appeared to either: ignore relevant research and guidance  or attempt to introduce isolated elements of Early Years provision used in other countries but without ensuring their suitability for the UK’s Early Years sector.

The Government currently seems determined to introduce a provision based on ensuring that all children are made ‘school-ready’ by the age of five. There is minimal reference to the research based theories of ‘learning and motivating through play’, developing individual social and emotional well-being, the importance of attachment, etc. Furthermore, it appears that the relabeling of Early Years Professionals as Early Years Teachers will have no perceivable impact on their status, working conditions or pay, despite their vastly improved Early Years skills.

The Department for Education demonstrates no real comprehension of the vastly different skills required by ‘Early Years Professionals’ or ‘Early Years Teachers’ and Primary School Teachers with Qualified Teacher Status. It is true that the DfE describes the two jobs as ‘the same but different’. Both jobs are of equal importance and value to their sector however the DfE has shown minimal regard for the disparity and unfairness of the status and salary received by the two groups.

Educare establishments are under increasing pressure to provide more services for young children and their families whilst settings are receiving diminishing funds. The sector endorses the requirement for families to receive suitable support to ensure that each ‘Unique’ child is able to reach their maximum learning and well-being potential and to guarantee that interventions for additional support can be made as and when they are required. Unfortunately, these ‘principles’ of Early Years education are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH KCFM RADIO ON 99.8FM

I have just finished recording a brief interview about the petition with KCFM Radio.

I hope that I have covered all of the salient points concerning the campaign but if not I will use the learning experience to fine-tune my interview technique!!

I will report when the interview will be aired.

"Why Early Years Teacher standards fail the youngest children" - Nursery World article 22nd July 2013

This article is well worth the read as it clarifies how: "The standards published earlier this month had already been roundly criticised by the sector for failing to focus on the importance of play for young children, but now two different expert groups have submitted highly critical responses to the standards."

Take a look here: http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/article/1192249/why-early-years-teacher-standards-fail-youngest-children?HAYILC=RELATED&HAYILC=INLINE

Media coverage and interest from key Early Years Specialists!

This petition has been very fortunate to have received attention from both on-line and paper magazines relating to the Early Years sector.

It would also appear from some of the names that have signed the petition that we have attracted critically valuable interest from some key Early Years Specialists.

I am reluctant to name these specialists without their permission but will be very grateful if any would like to provide permission for their names to be promoted.

I shall be attending a recorded interview at a local radio station tomorrow so I will report how that goes soon!

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I have seen a copy of a letter sent by TACTYC (Association for the Professional Development of Early Years Educators) to Teach First on the 5th July 2013. It is available at: http://www.tactyc.org.uk/our-view.asp, but briefly states that the committee firmly believes that the subject eligibility criteria should reflect the different needs of the age group and the distinctive pedagogy and knowledge and understanding needed. The committee also strongly promotes the significant and specific training undergone by students achieving Early Childhood based degrees.

Furthermore, TACTYC have responded to the new Early Years Teachers' Standards in a document dated 18th July 2013, available on: http://www.tactyc.org.uk/pdfs/Teacher's%20Standards.pdf.

The document describes that the Committee takes a poor view in regard to several elements of the new Teaching Standards and asks: " How can one set of teachers claim to be as important as or equivalent to those with QTS, when by virtue of the fact that they do not have QTS they will be paid less, have different terms and conditions of service and have fewer career opportunities?"

 

 

 



Another email from DfE dated 24th July 2013. But no new information!

I have received another email from the DfE. I have highlighted and annotated my on-going concerns. It reads as follows:

Dear Mrs Dervey ,

Thank you for your email dated 12 July 2013 about Early Years Professional Status and the Teach First early years extension to the Primary programme. Teach First launched in 2002, with a mission to recruit highly able graduates, who would not otherwise have considered teaching, to work in some of the country’s most challenging schools for at least two years. It started by preparing secondary trainees to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and later expanded to include primary trainees. The further extension of Teach First into the Early Years Foundation Stage is a new development for September 2013 which covers the age range three to seven years and is part of its primary QTS programme. It is, however, very much part of the overall Teach First programme, and all applicants are required to meet the Teach First eligibility criteria, irrespective of the age range they are training to teach. These have been developed through consultation with stakeholders, and currently include a requirement that applicants hold a degree in a traditional national curriculum subject at 2:1 or above. The recent expansion of the Teach First programme into the Early Years Foundation Stage is currently in its first year and teaching subject eligibility criteria is being reviewed as part of the programme evaluation[j1] . Teach First applicants are looked at holistically so if you feel you have other attributes that contribute to your application but do not fall within the criteria they do urge you to apply and outline these attributes on the application form and  to note any extenuating circumstances. [j2] They also will consider where you have ‘A’ levels in a specified subject rather than a degree. This is to meet the curriculum requirements for primary teaching of which the 3-7 age range is a part. Teach First participants are trained and work in schools serving more disadvantaged children and families.  They commit to at least two years in schools and then decide if they move on to other careers or stay in teaching. They would usually pursue leadership roles as[j3]  their training is focused on leadership development as well as teaching itself.  Teach First focus on placing highly motivated individuals where they are most needed and recommend that applicants be open minded about location[j4] . Teach First specifically place participants in partner schools rather than engage them within existing employment. During the application participants are able to state a regional preference; however they prioritise the needs of the schools and their children over the preferences of the applicants.  The initial 20 places are based in London and the South East; however Teach First may look to place early years participants in other regions in the future.   It is of note, though, that as an Early Years Professional you are able to use the title Early Years Teacher. Early Years Professionals and Early Years Teachers focus specifically on babies and children from birth to 5 years old. [j5]  In our report More great childcare published in January this year we made it clear that Early Years Professionals will not need to obtain QTS to increase their status, although routes are already available to QTS if you wish to take them.  These include through universities, the Assessment Only route and the new School Direct teacher training programme.  You may also wish to consider the Teachers’ Standards which you would be required to demonstrate in order to gain QTS; these can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teachers-standards  [j6]  Thank you for taking the time to email and I hope this information has been of use to you.

My initial thoughts relating to the highlighted areas.

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 [j1]As a result of complaints from applicants with EY degrees!

 [j2]I was turned down initially in spite of an extensive outline of my relevant experience, skills and qualifications!

 [j3]What about leadership within EY settings!

 [j4]Perhaps everyone can relocate to London, Kent & Medway!

 [j5]When will they hear that EYPs are far less concerned with job titles than being recognised in terms of status and salary as equal to QTS!

 [j6]Almost all EY practitioners are alert to continual changes in the EYFS requirements including Teaching Standards. They don’t need telling repeatedly.

 

 

Regrettably, the DfE seem to just repeat their previous email and assume that the issues petitioned against may just disappear.

I am particularly angered that they seem to think that qualified EYPs need to repeatedly be told about on-going changes to the variety of criteria and standards relating to EYFS. They don't acknowledge that our training ensures that we continually research current legislation to adjust and maximise our provision accordingly!

500 signatures - We mean business! - Letter to media Pro Forma

I have emailed several editors from the local media and media directly relating to the Early Years Sector. Hopefully this will help the campaign to have an increased impact.

I have provided a copy of the Pro Forma letter should any others wish to contact their media and help to draw more attention to the campaign.

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Hello,

I am writing in support of an online campaign on Change.org to make the Department for Education take action to stop the discrimination of Early Years Professionals who are effectively teachers for pre-school 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 status or in terms of a decent salary.

In fact, EYPs who have specialist Early Childhood degrees are being prevented from accessing further training on Early Years QTS programmes because their degrees are not considered eligible and because they do not have Primary School experience. All this to teach children aged from birth to under 6 years.

The petition already has over 500 supporters and there is a dedicated Blog to provide additional information. Links as follows:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/department-for-education-stop-discrimination-against-early-years-professionals

http://eyptrials.blogspot.co.uk/

Is this something you might be interested in covering?

Kind regards

Press release published by DfE on 11July 2013 "Childcare Qualifications Overhaul"

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/childcare-qualifications-overhaul

DfE: Policy- Improving the quality and range of education and childcare from birth to 5 years 

The National College of Teaching and Leadership sets out more detail on what will be expected of the new early years teachers and early years educators.

I am particularly interested in the paragraph written by Ms Truss MP which reads as follows: Good quality early years education, which is teacher-led, has been shown to be beneficial for children, especially those from low income backgrounds.

I wonder if she realises that the low income backgrounds she is concerned about may well be the same backgrounds where the under-paid Early Years workforce are destined to live!

I wonder what the Early Years Sector will make of this!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2362692/Liz-Truss-tipped-promotion-cabinet-just-years-MP.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Liz Truss has been tipped for promotion in Cameron's Cabinet reshuffle!!

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Personally, I think this is absolutely ludicrous! How can one individual with such minimal skill or experience within the EY Sector be allowed to cause such devastation without castigation. Promotion should be totally out of the question!

Has the sector got to pay the price for her ineptitude!

Nursery World support

I am extremely pleased to announce that the esteemed Early Years magazine, Nursery World has published an entire page dedicated to this matter.

It can be viewed on: http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/article/1190525/complaints-spark-teach-first-review

Dear Mr Stuart. My response to email from Ms Truss

I sent the following email to Mr Graham Stuart MP today and have received a mail acknowledgement receipt as proof of delivery.

Dear Mr Stuart,

Many thanks for forwarding to me a copy of Ms Truss’s recent email to you. I must draw your attention to several key points.

It would appear that Ms Truss is unaware that following my recent campaign (http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/department-for-education-stop-discrimination-against-early-years-professionals) to address some of the issues relating to the poor status placed on the skills and training of EYPs, Teach First have agreed to review their eligibility criteria for Early Years QTS training. They have assured me of due consideration to those candidates with Early Childhood degrees and Early Years Professional or Early Years Teacher Status to ensure that they are not unfairly discriminated against in future. In fact Nursery World have published an article to this effect. (Link as follows: http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/article/1190525/complaints-spark-teach-first-review).

I must further contend Ms Truss’s claim that Early Years Professionals/Early Years Teachers do not need to obtain Early Years QTS to improve their status. Unless EYPs and EYTs hold QTS, they will not attract an equivalent National Teachers Pay Award and will therefore will never be paid as a Qualified Teacher.

Those settings that would prefer an EYP or EYT for their youngest children have not been provided with suitable funds to offer an equivalent and acceptable remuneration package. In fact, most schools will not employ an Early Years Professional or an Early Years Teacher, who has been specifically trained to work in the Foundation Stage. This is because primary school financial plans have become so constrained that they must employ staff who can be used flexibly throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2 to sustain budgetary control. As EYPs and EYTs are not qualified to teach children above 6 years, they cannot be utilised in this way.

If qualified EYPs are not going to be paid an equivalent rate to those with QTS, then those that wish should be enabled to be fast-tracked to access free additional training to achieve Early Years QTS. At present many dedicated members of the workforce are undervalued and have 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 country’s youngest children.

I also have personal experience of attempting to access Early Years QTS training through the Schools Direct scheme. There are extremely limited training places available for Early Years QTS through this scheme and successful candidates are generally required to have had primary school experience.

Thus it seems that unless EYPs/EYTs are able to self-fund further training through the Early Years PGCE, they encounter a total block to accessing QTS and receiving Teacher's pay. Regrettably, the fact that many EYPs have been unable to secure permanent and well-paid employment makes this self-funding option becomes even more remote.

I thank you for your kind attention to this matter, but I must regret that the information provided by MS Truss does not offer any solutions to the plight of Early Years Professionals or Early Years Teachers. I must therefore request that she further considers how to ensure that those who have worked hard to achieve higher levels of skill and excellent and specific capabilities to offer the vital provision needed for very young children should receive suitable remuneration and acknowledgement to be valued appropriately.

I look forward to further communications.

Ms Truss response dated 16/07/2013

Mr Graham Stuart MP was kind enough to forward this copy of an emailed response that he had received from Ms Elizabeth Truss MP.

Department for Education response!

I have received the following email today (12th July 2013):

'Dear Mrs Dervey,

Thank you for your email dated 21 June 2013 about the eligibility criteria for Teach First programme. I understand you have written in similar terms to the Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education and Liz Truss MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare.

A reply will be provided shortly by Liz Truss MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare and will be sent to Graham Stuart MP who raised the matter on your behalf. In the meanwhile if you need anything further please do not hesitate to contact me. Your correspondence has been allocated reference number XXXXXXXXX. If you need to respond to us, please visit: www.education.gov.uk/contactus, and quote your reference number. Yours sincerely, Glyn Newton Early Years and Educational Psychology Division www.education.gov.uk '

........................................................................

Would it be cynical of me to suspect that several of my pertinent questions may remain unanswered or be 'glossed over'? Wait and see....

Magazine interest

I am pleased to report that Under 5 Magazine have mentioned my problems on their website: https://www.pre-school.org.uk/sectornews/13/teach-first-to-review-early-years-eligibility-criteria - The article dated 27th June 2013 reads as follows:

Teach First to review early years eligibility criteria

27th June 2013
Under 5 news exclusive
Educational charity Teach First is reviewing the eligibility criteria for its primary provision following the extension of the programme to include early years, Under 5 can reveal.

Earlier this year, Teach First announced that it was extending its primary provision to include early years, a move that would allow trainees to complete the two‑year Leadership Development Programme while working full time in schools, nurseries and other early years providers.
However, an early years practitioner recently informed Under 5 that when she enquired about applying for the programme, she was told that she would need a 2:1 degree in a core subject, such as Art, French or History, despite the fact she had a First in Early Childhood Education & Care.
However, Teach First has since confirmed that it is examining its current application requirement in light of its recent expansion into early years.
“While we have recently expanded our reach to allow successful candidates to train in early years settings — working with children aged three to five in some of the most disadvantaged communities — this took place halfway through our recruitment season," a spokesperson told Under 5.
“We therefore continued recruiting based on our existing degree criteria for primary and secondary — these vary according to the needs of our partner schools and university training providers and are set out on our website.
“However, we are now reviewing our eligibility criteria for applicants interested in early years.”

A degree of success!

Following a veritable 'Ping-Pong' of emails between myself and Teach First, they contacted me on 4th July to advise as follows:

'I understand you were in communication with some of my colleagues recently and I wanted to continue those conversations if you remained interested in applying to Teach First.  The reason being is that we are currently reviewing our subject eligibility criteria and this will consequently impact the commentary provided to you re eligibility to apply.'

I was very pleased to hear that my complaint had begun to have an impact on the criteria for selecting candidates for this training. However, my pleasure has been diminished by a subsequent communication later on the same day, which elaborated that:

'...it is the case that participants offered a position in Early Years teaching will only be placed in London (or neighbouring Kent & Medway) at this time.  Teach First’s expansion into Early Years teacher training is currently in its first year (ie academic year 13/14) of a three year pilot.  As the pilot develops we will assess such things as regional expansion however at this time I am unable to confirm when this might occur and which regions will be impacted.'

Thus, I remain in this situation where I am unable to access Early Years Training for QTS!

I have received more marginally comforting news from a University Co-ordinator as follows:

'..., it really does seem like a tricky one, yet experienced colleagues I have contacted feel that your qualifications are fine.  I realise the HCTS told you your qualifications weren't quite right for them, I don't think you should let this put you off applying again. I am told by Dr Wendy Jolliffe at the University that we should expect to see more Early Years places coming up for School Direct in the next year or two as the numbers grow.  As a University we would be happy to support a School Direct Early Years student but I'm afraid this is really beyond our control as schools manage their student placements by applying for permission to train a certain number of students; they specify the particulars and then bring in a provider, such as the University of Hull, to work with them and provide QTS.  I think you should keep checking the website to see if any Early Years places become available:

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct/applying'

 

This news indicates that further improvements to availability of training may arise over the next couple of years, however this does not guarantee that my need for a Salaried Schools Direct Early Years QTS position will be on offer!

 

I am interested to hear your alternate perspectives.