Creating Brighter Futures
16 July 2010
Professor Gervase Phinn, pictured below, giving his talk at the event.
Pictured above are some of the successful EYPS students with staff from the course.
Freelance lecturer, broadcaster, writer and former school inspector Professor Gervase Phinn was the keynote speaker at a ceremony to reward the latest University of Derby students to achieve a gold standard for working in early childhood settings.
A total of 55 successful workers have trained for up to 15 months at the University of Derby, to gain Early Years Professionals Status (EYPS) - a nationally recognised, graduate level status which is the gold standard for those working with children under the age of five.
They work in a range of nurseries, pre-schools and day care centres across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire.
This new status is a national drive to transform the workforce with a target of employing one Early Years Professional in every child care setting by 2015.
These inspiring individuals are experts in leading the development of the under-fives through play and ensuring each child is nurtured appropriately during those crucial first years.
Professor Gervase Phinn was the keynote speaker at the event on Wednesday night (July 14) at the University's Kedleston Road site, Derby. He was joined by Professor Helen Langton, Dean of the University's Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences. Professor Gervase Phinn taught in a range of schools for 14 years before becoming an education adviser and school inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer.
Deborah Hussain, Programme Leader for the Early Years Professional Status at the University of Derby said: "We're delighted to see such dedicated practitioners gaining graduate status.
"Three years ago, when we began the EYPS programme, practitioners with Level Three qualifications were enquiring about how to gain the status. Now, they have gained the gold award of childcare in EYPS.
"Many of these students are now studying at Masters degree level. It is excellent that nurseries have such highly skilled, inspirational staff who are so committed to raising the standards for themselves and the children in their care.
"Early Years Professionals are going to make a real difference to young children and families locally. We hope that these pioneers will encourage more people to consider further training and help to give young children the best start possible."
If you are interested in achieving Early Years Professional Status you can find out more at website www.derby.ac.uk/eyps, or for further information please contact Louise Harvey at the University of Derby on 01332 593025 or email l.harvey@derby.ac.uk.
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For more information about this news release, contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038, or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk
