Sophie Nightingale - Graduate Entry Pathway EYPS Candidate
Sophie Nightingale
An EYP brings ideas and energy into a setting, their ideas and skills ensure they are an excellent role model to practitioners within the nursery.
”Sophie is studying our Graduate Entry Pathway for EYPS. Sophie had a degree and limited experience of working with children from birth to five but was looking to pursue a career working in early years. After the success of her first placement, Sophie is now a permanent practitioner in her former placement setting.
Sophie's first placement
Sophie's first placement started at Quorn Grange Day Nursery in Quorn, Leicestershire. The nursery cares for 30 children daily; six babies, eight toddlers and sixteen pre-school children. Her mentor within the setting was the manager of the Day Nursery, Paula Mills, who has 27 years of experience in the sector. Paula is an Early Years Professional and gained the Status with us in July 2012.
After we contacted Paula, she was keen to offer her support as a mentor and the setting as a placement opportunity. "After gaining EYPS I wanted to give a practitioner the opportunity to demonstrate their professional and leadership skills, in a setting that was friendly and welcoming, but most of all was prepared to offer plenty of support."
Where Sophie's success began
"I was immediately impressed with the way Sophie presented herself. She came across as very professional and dedicated with a very caring personality", says Paula. "Sophie became a valued member of the nursery team from the outset. She formed sound relationships with all practitioners, children and parents. Sophie contributed to lots of changes and led other practitioners whilst putting ideas into practice."
The baby room needed developing and Paula asked Sophie to lead on this aspect; Paula stated, "Sophie was like a breath of fresh air. She implemented a sensory activity board for outdoors, which has stimulated our babies in all areas. Along with having delighted parents this demonstrated to other practitioners what can be done and I am sure they have taken ideas away with them which they can then be put into practice."
A breath of fresh air supporting an EYP
Paula would recommend colleagues to support an EYP candidate on placement as it is a great opportunity for settings to view their practice with fresh eyes. "As a graduate, an EYP brings ideas and energy into a setting. Their ideas and skills ensure they are an excellent role model to practitioners within the nursery, giving them the boost to deliver quality practice and consider further training themselves, providing a more qualified and professional workforce."
When asked how the nursery team reacted to Sophie, Paula stated that as they knew Sophie's responsibility from the outset the team had a very positive response. They understood the role the EYP would have, and knew it would consist of an element of leadership. Sophie was aware of not coming in and taking over. She discussed all aspects of working with the children with Paula and other team members. Paula added,"Sophie has become a respected member of the team. Other members of the team feel confident when they are working with Sophie. Sophie asked for support when required but often worked on her own initiative."
Great opportunity
Sophie left The Grange and went to her second placement, however, the moment a vacancy arose within the team, Paula called Sophie to encourage her to apply. Sophie was successful and is now a permanent practitioner within The Grange nursery.
The aim of the Graduate Entry Pathway is to welcome graduates to the sector and this has certainly been a success resulting in employment and a setting gaining another enthusiastic, dedicated team member.
Interested? Creating Brighter Futures.
If you'd like to come on board as a placement setting please contact Louise Harvey on 01332 593025, at l.harvey@derby.ac.uk or visit our website www.derby.ac.uk/eyps
EYPS pathways start in September 2013, with four study pathways to achieve the award, depending on your qualifications and experience.
