Aspect has written to each of the main parties to elicit their views and commitments regarding Early Years Professional Status. Our letters have been sent to Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrats), Ed Balls (Labour), and Tim Loughton (Conservative).

The letters remind each party of the huge strides forward that have already been made with the introduction of the EYPS, alongside other developments such as the focus on level 3 qualifications and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

They also highlight, however, that the EYPS project remains fragile, and why – with vulnerable and sparse roles, limited career paths, and the very low levels of pay still prevalent for many.

Aspect has therefore asked four simple questions of each party:

1 – Are you committed to maintaining and developing the Early Years Professional Status programme, and providing statutory force to the 2010 and 2015 targets, to ensure there are EYPs in every setting?

2 – Are you committed to working with professional bodies in the children’s workforce, including the early years sector, in order to develop effective and sustainable career paths and salary arrangements?

3 – What measures would you implement to deliver parity between Qualified Teacher Status and Early Years Professional Status in terms of

a – remuneration and conditions of service

b – status transferability, with parity in respect to routes to transition between QTS and EYPS

c – public understanding, recognition and awareness?

4 – What plans do you have to develop effective professional registration mechanisms and the funding and infrastructure for effective Continuous Professional Development for EYPs, to ensure equity and parity with comparative professionals?

Watch this space for updates as we have them …