Nursery World - Universities call for action on Early Years Teacher Status

A letter signed by academics from more than 20 universities is being sent to MPs and ministers this week, warning that the early years graduate workforce is at risk.

The signatories are all providers of Early Years Initial Teacher Training, frustrated by the lack of action since the publication last year of the Early Years Workforce Strategy.

They include Dr Eunice Lumsden, head of Early Years at the University of Northampton, Kirsty Weeks, course leader for Early Years ITT at the University of Warwick, Lucy Fogg, senior lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, and Tamsin Grimmer, lecturer on the Early Years ITT course at Bath Spa University.

In the letter, they say that the Early Years Workforce Strategy ‘made a positive commitment’ to consult on amending the regulations to allow those with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), and its predecessor Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), to lead nursery classes and reception classes in maintained schools.

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