Graduate Leaders in Early Years

Developing early year's leaders is central to workforce development and improving outcomes for children and young people

In the 'Supporting Families in the Foundation Years' policy statement (July 2011), the government sets out a far-reaching vision to 'develop a well qualified and properly skilled workforce' by 'continuing to invest in graduate level training in early education, childcare and social care.

The Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) programme and New Leaders in Early Years Pilot  are two  training programmes set up to help practitioners become excellent graduate leaders in the early years sector.

EYPS is the only professional graduate accreditation for the early years workforce, endorsed by government and increasingly recognised as the credential for leading practice in early years provision. Launched in 2007, there are now over 8,300 qualified EYPs across England, making a real difference to the lives of children every day, and more than 1,800 in training. Click on the link on the left to find out more about EYPS.

New Leaders in Early Years is a three year pilot programme seeking to attract top graduates to work and become strategic and practice leaders in the early years sector.

Want to find out more about careers in early years? Click on the Working in Early Years link on the left to find out.