Leicestershire Early Years Professional Network. Here to stay

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1 Quality Empowering Next steps Leicestershire Early Years Professional Network Here to stay Professionals you can trust in making a difference to children s lives The Journey continues Early Years Professionals creating brighter futures

2 Contents Aims Good practice Early Years Professionals equipped to meet the childcare challenge Early Years Professional are here to stay Aims of the Leicestershire Early Years Professional Network How the network is achieving its aims Further information and contacts Early Years Professionals equipped to meet the childcare challenge The respect and trust which parents place upon those who care for their youngest children is based upon the quality of care and experiences provided for those children. Early Years Professionals (EYP s) are front line practitioners who change, shape and improve practice, increasing the quality of experience and raising outcomes for each and every individual child. Early Years Professionals give leadership and support to their own teams and to others through peer and mentoring support or in multi agency working. The status of those working with, and caring for, our young children, be it in a home based environment, with a Childminder, or away from home in a day nursery, pre school, crèche or children s centre has changed considerably in recent years.

3 Leaders Commitment Excellence Growing numbers of Graduate Early Years Professionals are leading the way locally and nationally as change agents in meeting the challenge of raising the quality and outcomes for the children in their care across all the different types and size of childcare settings chosen by parents. In Leicestershire our Early Years Professionals have proven their ability to meet the stringent 39 National Standards set by the Children s Workforce Development Council. Ensuring that they can excel in providing the best possible outcomes for each and every child within an early years childcare setting, in meeting the mandatory Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Demonstration of their knowledge and understanding as a leader in a childcare setting has been built upon their extensive experience and practice in a complex and challenging role, requiring vision, resilience, determination and commitment. Most of all they have a passion for what they do and can be relied upon to meet and understand the needs of every child in their care.

4 Support Opportunity Sharing Early Years Professionals are here to stay The government has invested unprecedented funding to support those committed and able to become Early Years Professionals and to give continuing support for the ongoing professional development of these Early Years Professionals through local and national networks. By 2015 every full daycare setting should have leadership from at least one Early Years Professional (by 2010 for every Children s Centre with early years provision, and two in settings serving the most deprived areas by 2015). In Leicestershire all Early Years Professionals become members of the local network when they gain EYP status which enables them as a professional group to further develop and share good practice across Leicestershire with the ongoing support of the local authority. Becoming a graduate EYP is not the end of a learning journey, but the beginning of working with a community of early years professionals widening their horizons and opening up new opportunities.

5 Aims Leadership Quality Aims of Leicestershire Early Years Professional Network The expectation is to develop and maintain a self sustaining network of support and professional development for all Leicestershire Early Years Professionals (EYP s), in meeting the Children s Workforce Development Council and Leicestershire Local Authority aims of: Developing their lead practitioner role to deliver change, improve the quality of their setting and achieve improved outcomes for children To work across settings to address quality improvement beyond their own setting through endorsement by the Local Authority To identify and measure the impact EYP s are making locally and to communicate it effectively both locally and nationally To contribute to the development of the EYPS programme locally and nationally to reinforce the professional identity for Early Years Professional Status The role of network members To provide peer support and a vehicle for self reflection To promote success through evidence of improved quality outcomes for children by implementing EYP practice and standards in their own settings To share good practice and actions to promote quality improvement within and across other settings To engage with targeted needs led training, which would guide continuous professional and personal development Representation of EYP s at local, regional and national events.

6 Needs Partnerships Working together How the network is achieving its aims Partnerships Local and regional partnerships have been established with universities and training providers to ensure access to research, resources and events. These are accessed through regular training events and debates, supported further through university library access and on-line forums. Close working relationships are currently in place with University of Northampton, University of Derby, Education Management Direct and Pen Green. Regular meetings with our neighbouring local authorities enable a free flow of information and opportunities for network collaboration. Continuing Professional Development In addition to accessing conferences, lectures and training offered by our partners, the network organises its own biennial lectures on issues pertinent to Leicestershire s identified needs, and commissions further training to provide it with support and development regarding new initiatives which Leicestershire EYP s are taking a leading role in. Opportunity to gain further post graduate academic credit through the first EYP specific Graduate Certificate in Early Years Continuing Professional Development is available. Meeting identified local needs Working closely with the Local Authority and its Early Years Consultants, the network is able to identify common pieces of priority work which are required across Leicestershire and develop action plans for joint working. The network is also included in consultation and planning regarding the range of Workforce Development support and impact provided by the local authority.

7 Support Impact Evidence Supporting and sharing with others EYP s take great pride in their achievement and sharing success, particularly through recognition by their peers. Project implementation helps promote the quality of practice within the EYP s own workplace, but sharing more widely, raises the practice and aspirations of others and the status of the sector as a whole. Through network meetings, EYP s share success and debate problems which need to be overcome. All EYP s are different and can contribute differently to the network, supporting and mentoring new or potential EYP s, cascading training, organising or writing up events or participating in conferences or information events. The opportunity to visit other settings, to attend national conferences or training events, give the opportunity to receive new information but also provide input of their own knowledge, experiences and models of good practice to a wider audience. Evidence of impact Case studies are used to show the changes in outcomes achieved in settings over periods of time. Much initial evidence may be anecdotal, but both qualative and quantative evidence are necessarily measured against newly developing local quality standards. Funding The network is supported through a significant financial allocation from the Graduate Leader Fund to enable all EYP s to take time away from their setting in order to undertake continuing professional development through network approved training, research, conferences or lectures. Attendance at network meetings and sharing or supporting other settings toward EYPS or raising quality standards is also funded. Precise details of funding available are notified to the network membership.

8 Network Contacts Progression Further information and contacts Locally Leicestershire EYP Case study and information website Funding for early years settings and individuals progressing toward EYP status - Leicestershire Early Learning and Childcare Service Workforce Development Telephone Helpline General information - Nationally Department for Children Schools & families Children s Workforce Development Council Full and relevant qualifications list