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It is 25 years since the first Early Childhood Studies degrees were introduced and the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) was launched. The degree was aimed at providing higher-level study opportunities for those working in the early childhood education and care sector. Since this time the number of degrees has grown enormously, and early childhood is now firmly established as an inter-disciplinary academic subject that covers the period from conception to the age of eight.
The need for highly qualified graduate early childhood practitioners is as relevant today as it was in the early 1990s. However, there are currently no practitioner competencies at graduate level. There is also some confusion in the Early Childhood sector about the level ECS graduates should be employed at and the practice skills they should have. This is reportedly presenting some challenges for employers and causing some issues during Ofsted inspections.
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