However there is also much that is fragile. The postponed implementation of the Early Years Single Funding Formula demonstrates how much misunderstanding remains about how this compex sector really operates. The recent turnaround regarding childcare vouchers is to be welcomed – but the slower progress towards free places for two-year-olds is not.

Recruitment onto the latest Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) pathways has been very promising. Yet significant evidence has emerged in the last year of problems with retention, especially in the PVI sector. The case for introducing proper pay arrangments, and clear career paths remains strong, as demonstrated by the several hundred signatories who have signed the petition on the Prime Ministers’ website (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/eyppayscales/).

Fundamentally, the problem remains that early years is chronically underfunded, and remains a cinderella sector. The Daycare Trust research published recently reminds us all of the benefits of graduate leadership, as well as demonstrating the shortfall in funding across the sector. As a society, we are letting down our youngest children.

The evidence is clear: high quality early years education and care not only changes the lives of individual children and families, it also offers a clear return on investment higher than almost any other public expenditure.

At a time of ongoing economic crisis, this is one sector where the government – whatever colour it may be by mid-2010 – must invest far more substantially.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure Early Years Professionals (EYPs) are recognised and rewarded commensurate with their professional status and leadership role in early years, through the agreement and implementation of nationally agreed structures for pay and conditions

Do you agree with this? If you do, sign today and pass on the word.

It’s really easy:

1. Click and follow this link http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/eyppayscales/
2. Follow the instructions on the page
3. Go to your email inbox
4. Click on the confirmation link to ensure your signature is added
5. Send the link on to everyone you can think of to get them to sign as well

Here’s a bit more background:

Early Years Professionals are being recruited in order to lead change, drive excellence throughout the early years sector, and spearhead the government’s drive to tackle the poor outcomes that still dominate in areas of entrenched disadvantage.

However, despite this crucial role in leading change it has been shown (Aspect survey, published 2009) that the average pay for an EYP is only £8-£9.

Early Years Professional Status is considered equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status. When recruited EYPs were told the new roles would lead to positions that had parity with the roles of teachers in schools. It is essential that to continue to recruit and retain this essential workforce, and to meet the ambitious targets the CWDC are working towards to have EYPs in every setting by 2015, similar national pay arrangements to teachers (and other professional groups such as doctors, social workers and police officers) should be put in place immediately.

During these workshops, where delegates quickly got “down and dirty” clustered around their flip chart sheets, the EYPs identified the barriers they face, and how to fight back.

Intense discussion in Taunton

As in the Aspect survey, as well as the obvious – pay, roles, careers – a key theme that emerged was the imperative demand for better understanding of what EYPS is and what EYPs do. Obviously this is something Aspect has long been tackling at the national level. However it was also agreed, that every EYP and EYP student also needs to act locally.

And sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones:

• are EYPs recognised on the staff gallery or noticeboard in your setting?
• do EYPs wear badges with their status proudly on display?
• does your setting boast about its EYP(s) in its literature?
• do parents know how their EYP is leading the curriculum?
• have you been in the local paper when you got your EYPS or when you were appointed to your role?
• does your setting celebrate qualifications and training generally?
• have you got the Aspect EYP charter on the wall?

And outside your setting …

• Does your LA encourage parents to ask about EYPs when they visit settings?
• If you are a parent yourself, do you make a point of always asking about a setting’s view of EYPS and tell them you think EYPs are crucial?
• Have you explained to friends and family exactly why EYPS is so important in raising quality in early years?

And then of course there’s the bigger picture …

• Have you and every other member of your local LA network signed up for Aspect?
• Do you talk to any student EYPs about the need to join Aspect and to stand up proudly for EYPS?
• If you are on Twitter or Facebook do you take every chance to publicise EYPs (and Aspect)?
• Has everyone you know signed the EYP payscales petition?
• Have you made sure every MP in your area knows about EYPs and what they do? (See our template letter here)

Simply put, the question is clear: what you have YOU done this week to raise the profile of EYPs?

Visit: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/eyppayscales/

It really is quick – you just enter your name, address and email then click on a link in an email to confirm.

So add your name and then pass it on to your friends, colleagues and family and ask them to sign too. It’s quick and easy but is also another way to make a difference and fight for your future.