Primarolo fails to address early years pay concerns

Primarolo spoke at the event today, which was hosted by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham.

She took the opportunity to announce the launch of a recruitment campaign directed at graduates working outside the early years sector. But no mention was made of concerns raised in April through a survey conducted by Aspect, the union representing EYPs.

John Chowcat, Aspect's general secretary, said: "In terms of the big issues regarding a national pay framework and a national professional development framework, there were no new announcements from the top table. The general mood of this gathering is that it is great to have EYP status, but these issues must be addressed."

In April, the union reported that EYPs feel their role as graduate leaders is undervalued. The report also called for a national pay scale to ensure parity with teachers.

Primarolo reiterated the government's intention to have an EYP in every full day care setting by 2015.

"The campaign will target those outside the profession - as well as those within it - so that we can continue to build on the success we have already achieved in training more than 3,000 EYPs. The campaign will be led by the CWDC," she said.

The CWDC also announced that a fifth pathway to EYP status will be added, for graduates of the early childhood studies degree.