University of Gloucestershire Pathway information

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

The next intake for EYPS under the new contracts will be January 2012.

The Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) recognises graduate practitioners who have skills to lead high quality early years practice. EYPS is a professional accreditation endorsed by the Government for graduate practitioners who can demonstrate competence against a set of professional standards.

The University will be working in partnership  (subject to approval): with Newman University College in Birmingham; University College Plymouth St Mark & St John; and the Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning (SCIL) to deliver the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) programme to Early Years practitioners training across the West Midlands and South West regions. The contract and lead organisation for the consortium is the University of Worcester.

There are four EYPS Pathways for the duration of this contract (2012-15). The pathways are:

• Graduate Practitioner Pathway (GPP).
• Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway (UPP).
• Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP).
• Undergraduate Entry Pathway (UEP).

As well as the limited number of funded places allocated by CWDC, the University is now able to offer places to a wider range of practitioners who wish to self fund.

Further information can be found on the CWDC website.

Entry Requirements    

The Graduate Practitioner Pathway (GPP) (Part time) (6 months)

This pathway is for graduates currently working in the sector who require a small amount of learning or experience before they can demonstrate the EYPS standards.

Candidates must hold a degree awarded by a United Kingdom higher education institution at the start of this pathway. The candidate must be working in

• A setting on the Early Years Register
• A nursery school
• An independent school that delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Maintained setting that delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage i.e. a nursery school or maintained school with a reception class.

Within this pathway, the candidate will work in partnership with the university to develop an individualised learning plan to meet the professional standards, and to ensure understanding of the assessment requirements.

The Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway (UPP) (Full time)

This pathway is for students studying a BA (Hons) in a subject related foundation degree. At the start of the pathway candidates must hold a qualification with a total of at least 240 CAT (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points, 120 of which must have been obtained at Intermediate Level on the Higher Education Qualifications Framework. The pathway is embedded within the degree programme at Level 6 and candidates will complete 18 weeks placement experience in a setting on the Early Years Register.

The Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) (Full Time) (12 months)

This pathway is for candidates already holding a recognised degree* and who have limited experience of working with children from birth to five but who are looking to pursue a career working in early years. Each candidate undertakes a minimum of two work-based training placements in different settings, totalling at least 18 weeks. Two of these placements must last a minimum of four weeks each.

*All candidates must hold a degree awarded by a United Kingdom higher education institution at the start of this pathway.

The Undergraduate Entry Pathway (UEP) (Full Time)

This pathway is for students currently studying in the final or penultimate year of a degree in Early Childhood Studies at the start of the pathway. At the start of the pathway candidates must hold a qualification with a total of at least 240 CAT (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points, 120 of which must have been obtained at Intermediate Level on the Higher Education Qualifications Framework. Each candidate must undertake a minimum of two work-based training placements in different settings, totalling at least 18 weeks. Two of these placements must last a minimum of four weeks each.

How to Apply

Please complete both the Candidate Application and email to Lorna Meredith. An interview will be arranged for you with the programme lead.

For enquiries or further information, please contact:
Lorna Meredith

Course Administrator - Early Years

Faculty of Business, Education and Professional Studies

University of Gloucestershire

Room QW122, Francis Close Hall

Swindon Road

Cheltenham GL50 4AZ

Tel: 01242 714733

Email: ku.ca.solg@htidereml




"The EYPS course at the University of Gloucestershire was rigorous and challenging.  It made me think about the processes and the way to lead change in my setting.  This in turn has enhanced our practice and helped us to provide outstanding education and care for the children in our nursery." Amanda Horniman

 “Life is a continuous journey of learning and the flexibility and support received at UoG whilst studying for EYPS as a mature student, enabled me to achieve a qualification that gave me recognition in my profession. The EYPS programme was a great way of focussing on how I could make a difference to the children in my setting and this has had a major impact on the quality of provision at our setting.” Chris Brooker