A series of successful PVI Employer Forums are helping Staffordshire Early Years Workforce Development Team to discuss key issues arising from Early Years Professional Status and workforce reforms. Facilitated by myself, and attended by 69 PVI owners/managers, the forums are providing an opportunity for employers to share views on national and local measures, funding and support.
Deputy county council leader and Cabinet member for children and young people, Ian Parry, says, 'Staffordshire has one of the largest EYP networks in the country. This was an opportunity to share the positive experiences of EYPs and the valuable continuing professional development opportunities available for practitioners at these events, as well as to provide further information on the Graduate Leader Fund and its use within settings.'
Barriers and concerns that delegates identified were lack of understanding of the EYP role and how it can be implemented successfully in settings; lack of trust in the EYP's ability to practise and cascade learning sufficiently to other staff; difficulties accessing training due to time, money and supply cover constraints; and questions around the quality of training for new staff and EYPs.
Yvonne Brown, workforce development officer for Staffordshire, and herself an EYP, says, 'The open and accepting forum allowed employers to discuss their concerns in a supported and enabling environment, helping them to identify a positive way forward.'
National and local aims for EYPS and workforce reform were explained in terms of the relationship between high-quality staff and positive outcomes for children, with the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education report (EPPE, 2004) cited as some of the research behind the drive towards a more professional and effectively managed workforce.
Employers raised questions and found possible solutions to the barriers and challenges, supported by local authority training and recruitment officers. One employer remarked, 'In listening to other people's views, it was comforting to see they had the same worries.' Some reported that parents and carers were taking more interest in the training and professional qualifications of staff, making staff feel more valued.
By sharing concerns with their peers, employers gained a better understanding of the direct benefits of higher professional practice on a setting's status, sustainability and viability, knowledge of training pathways and funding available to help them access training, and felt more confident and positively motivated towards progressing EYPS and CPD in their settings.
Helen Davies, a recently qualified EYP, found that her training experience increased the respect she feels from other professionals. She says, 'You cannot be as experienced at the age of 18 or 20 as you might be when older. I know a lot of committed and excellent young practitioners who are working in supportive settings. There is a difference in home-grown candidates for training and those on a placement from college courses - this should be made clear to employers!'
Positive feedback to these forum events has encouraged Staffordshire Early Years to hold more in March 2010.
- Tina Jefferies is workforce development specialist for training company Red Space.
