A better start for our children

PEOPLE working with or hoping to work with young children are being offered a fantastic opportunity to join Early Years training courses at MMU.

MMU is one of a handful of centres in the UK offering the new Early Years Professional Status qualification, and is looking for student candidates for January and September 2007.

After a successful pilot programme, the University is ready to offer FOUR* ways to EYP status ranging from a three-month part-time course to a 12-month full-time route depending on experience and qualifications.

All courses are free and there are also teaching and lecturing opportunities.

Major development

Lesley Abbott, Professor of Early Childhood at MMU’s Institute of Education said: "I am proud and delighted that MMU is at the forefront of this major national development.

"Our research has demonstrated that the quality of work in early childhood settings depends on the level of training offered to practitioners."

For more than a decade, Professor Abbott has campaigned for graduate status for all early years professionals, and in January 2007 the first group of 48 students will earn their EYP qualification at MMU.

In feedback, more than 90% described the MMU course as ‘excellent’. See What Students Said below.

All-graduate childcare

The Government is seeking to professionalise all early childhood work in the UK, and wants to see a graduate EYP lead multi-professional practice in all statutory, private, voluntary and independent nursery and childcare settings by 2015.

Non-graduates can gain EYP status through the foundation degree in early years practice also run by MMU.

To apply for any of our EYPS routes, contact us for an application pack. Places are limited so please apply by December 8 (for January 2007 intake).

Contact The Institute of Education on 0161 247 2100/2043 j.acott@mmu.ac.uk or the Institute programmes office on 0161 247 2058 or go to the website at www.ioe.mmu.ac.uk/business/eyp2

What students said:

"The preparation days were informative and a real insight into the standards and processes needed to complete the assessments."

"Assessors were very considerate and helpful and explained tasks well."

"The assessors appeared calm and were well organised."

* The four routes to EPYS are:
- Single-term (p-t)
- Six month (p-t)
- 15-month (p-t)
- 12- month (f-t)