The C
hildren's Workforce Development Council has confirmed that contracts with the training and assessment providers offering EYPS are in the process of being finalised, and that the names of those that have been chosen will be revealed within the next month.
Earlier this year, the CWDC ran a re-tendering exercise for providers offering training for the new EYPS, which has been overhauled by the CWDC, primarily in the light of the Tickell review of the EYFS, as well as other Government-commissioned reviews, such as Graham Allen's into early intervention and Frank Field's into child poverty.
The successful providers will be responsible for delivering the programme across England from 2012-15.
Four years on from the launch of the graduate early years qualification, there are now 8,300 EYPs, with 1,800 in training.
Beyond the January intake, future intakes are expected from September 2012 until March 2014, with up to 7,000 more candidates expected to enrol and attain EYPS.
Deirdre Quill, director for Early Years and Sector Leadership, said, 'We are delighted to be able to announce the next intake for EYPS training. EYPs continue to lead practice in the early years sector, having a measurable impact on quality and improved outcomes for pre-school children.
Recent research shows that this impact is over and above that of graduate staff without EYPS, or employing staff with lower levels of qualifications. This new intake will allow us to continue to strengthen the skills of the early years workforce to ensure that the lives of our youngest children and babies have the best start for healthy development.'
EYPS moves to the new Teaching Agency
The CWDC will own and manage the EYPS programme from 1 October 2011 until 31 March 2012, after which it will pass to the new Teaching Agency.
The Teaching Agency is a new executive agency that will be responsible for ensuring the supply of high quality teachers and training, and for teacher regulation. It will open in April 2012 and take on some key functions currently carried out by the Training and Development Agency for Schools, General Teaching Council for England, CWDC and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, subject to the necessary parliamentary approvals..
The agency will support teachers, instructors, early years workers, classroom-based support staff, SENCOs, educational psychologists and examination officers.
The Teaching Agency will be responsible for three key areas of delivery
- supply and retention of the workforce
- the quality of the workforce
- regulation of teacher conduct.
