EYPs are being given the opportunity to network on a national scale whenthe Children's Workforce Development Council holds its EYP celebratoryevent in Birmingham, on 14 July.
The event mirrors the increasing strength of local networks which allowEYPs to share good practice after they have qualified.
In Birmingham there will be the chance to meet and share ideas withcolleagues, practitioners, policymakers and early years experts fromacross the UK, and take ideas back to their settings.
There will be workshops covering practice and leadership topics,including the EYFS, leading change in early years, what being an EYPreally means, and exploring outdoor play.
Training providers and other sector professionals will be on hand toexplain the different pathways to EYP. There will also be an onlinediscussion forum, an exhibition and an evening reception.
The free conference is open to all EYPs, and keynote speakers willinclude Minister for Children, Young People and Families BeverleyHughes, and clinical psychologist Professor Tanya Byron.
Milissa Seiler, who achieved EYPS with Middlesex University through theshort pathway in September last year, is attending the national event.She is currently deputy manager at Nagila Pre-School in Edgware,Middlesex.
'It will be interesting to meet other EYPs,' she says. 'In our networkwe carried out a project on outdoor play. We visited a nursery inScotland and a science school in Sweden. These gave us inspiration thatwe are keen to share.'
Further information
The event will take place at the International Conference Centre (ICC)in Birmingham on 14 July.
To register for the conference visitwww.greengagelive.com/event/eypsevent09
EYP pathways
There are four pathways for those with a degree or equivalent:
- Validation pathway, four months, part time.
- Short extended professional (EPD) pathway, six months part time.
- Full training pathway, full time, 12 months.
For those with a foundation degree or equivalent:
- Long EPD pathway, 15 months.
