Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC)

Introduction 

CWDC is providing funding to local authorities to develop a support package for Early Years Professionals (EYPs) in their area, principally through setting up local networks which can offer further development and training to EYPs after they have gained Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

Serco/ContinYou will be working with all local authorities in England to help them develop and deliver the support they offer to EYPs.

The aims of the EYP support package are to: 

• develop the lead practitioner role of EYPs to deliver change, improve the quality of their setting and achieve improved outcomes for children
• facilitate EYPs working across settings to address quality improvement beyond their own setting
• enable EYPs to contribute to the development of the EYPS programme locally and nationally
• establish a professional identity for EYPs 
• ensure the impact of EYPs locally is communicated nationally.

CWDC in partnership with Serco/ContinYou have developed a process to:

• ascertain the scope of local authorities support needs based upon a mix of self evaluation and face-to-face meetings
• provide a focused blend of tailored support and encouragement
• work in partnership at national, regional and local level to optimise the conditions for promoting EYPs networking
• build capacity which provides a legacy beyond the initial programme