Early years settings should be led by trained teachers, says Lib Dems

By Ross Watson Tuesday, 16 February 2010

The Liberal Democrats have called on all early years professionals to aspire to become qualified teachers, despite the sector calling for equal pay and status between the roles.

Children with Early Years Worker. Credit: Becky Nixon

The government created the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) for graduates working in early years, as part of its aim to have a graduate in every setting by 2015.

Ministers have previously stated that EYPS is on a par with qualified teacher status but those in the sector argue it is not as well-paid or well-respected.

Annette Brooke, children's spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, told CYP Now that while the party agrees with the principles of the EYPS, practitioners should "strive for more as time goes on".

"We've always felt in an ideal world that you would want somebody with fully qualified teacher status to lead an early years setting," she said.

Brooke added that she thought the government created EYPS to make it easier to hit its target for all settings to employ at least one graduate by 2015.

John Chowcat, general secretary of trade union Aspect, which represents early years professionals, said: "EYPS means the post-holders understand dealing with children from birth to five, whereas qualified teachers tend to have experience working with children from three years upwards.

"What is needed is not to move away from EYPS and have qualified teachers only, but to take steps to build up the recognition of the professional role of people with EYPS."

Brooke made her comments after speaking at an event held by the Early Childhood Unit's Firm Foundations campaign, looking to promote the importance of quality early years provision.

Fiona Colton, head of early years at Derby City Council, was also present at the event. She challenged local authorities to ensure the EYPS is delivered effectively in primary schools.

"There's a challenge for heads to have someone with real experience in teaching reception classes," Colton told CYP Now. "They often have to move people around, with someone experienced in Key Stage Two finding themselves in a reception class, when really it should be an early years expert."