Training series early years: Overhaul of early years qualifications

Population boom coupled with the imminent arrival of free childcare provision for two-year-olds is cranking up the pressure on early years settings across England. Now, added to the mix, the government has created two flagship qualifications for early years settings in England in its drive to boost the quality and status of childcare practitioners. Its More Great Childcare report put the roles of early years teachers and early years educators at the heart of the childcare reforms.

Early years teachers (EYTs) will replace the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) programme, which was launched in 2007 to produce well-trained and well-qualified practitioners. The government has pledged that existing early years professionals will be seen as the equivalent of early years teachers when it comes to recruitment and status, and will not be expected to do any further training.