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 …

Aspect’s EYP Charter, published earlier this year, demands that EYPs who have just gained the status should be provided with proper support and ongoing backing through the development of a New EYP status. Rather like a new teacher with Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) status, Aspect believes that new EYPs should have access to ongoing support, mentoring, non-contact time and continuous development. Indeed, as with NQTs, new EYPs need to be recognised as professionals working at a professional level – but also in many cases new entrants in new roles, still very much learning and developing.

The widely trailed new recommendation from the Social Work Taskforce that social workers should have a probationary year thus makes interesting reading.

In particular, perhaps, the words of the chair of the General Social Care Council (GSCC), Rosie Varley, are worth noting:

There’s a clear consensus of views about the need to strengthen social work education and introduce a national curriculum,” she added, “and to move away from the view that the degree will equip people with the skills necessary for your career, towards a concept of continuous professional development with specialist qualifications linked to specialist practice and linked to the register.”

As with social workers, EYPs are a profession without the status and structures needed. Indeed, in many ways EYPs have even further to travel.

Of course, Aspect members are already leading the way. The paper Aspect published last year on the principles and strategy that need to underpin the development of full CPD provision for EYPs is available here.

For more details of the model for social workers this article from Community Care is a good place to start.

If you are an EYP student the situation varies: some networks feel they have the funding and infrastructure to welcome candidates working towards EYPS; others ask you to wait until you get the status. Either way you lose nothing by getting in touch and asking. At least you’ll have a phone number to use as you crack open the champagne down the line …

So that’s a brief general advert.

However the real point of this piece is to encourage you to make sure you are using the funding available through your LA network as wisely as possible. I am told that monies available for CPD and to support cover are both going begging! Now, we know funding for EYPs is often in short supply – but let’s take advantage of what there is! CPD money can be used for conferences, books, expeditions, trips to other settings, invitations to speakers, and indeed some have used it to support individuals joining Aspect as the appropriate professional body. There is also cash to pay for cover while you attend meetings, and to ensure you don’t end up out of pocket.

So this is basically a nag. The networks are there for you. Hosted by the LA they are nevertheless your local place to lead the agenda, share ideas and experiences, and invest in your own futures. Take advantage.

Incidentally, I am currently writing a brief summary sheet on “ideas for networks”. All input appreciated so please do share your best (and worst) ideas and experiences.

Ultimately though this article is to remind you that money is there. Whether for trips, books, conferences or affiliations to professional bodies – spend the money wisely but do spend or it will just disappear.