Features

Editor's View - EYP providers in the cold

The chance to deliver EYPS training may well have eluded many valued institutions.

The proverbial cat seems to have been well and truly put among the pigeons with the launch of the Children's Workforce Development Council's tendering process for the delivery of Early Years Professional Status for 2012-14 (see News, page 4).

The fact that unless you are a training organisation that has been approved to join the Leadership and Training Framework, led by National College with CWDC and the TDA, you are not eligible to tender to deliver future programmes including EYPS, seems to have eluded many EYPS providers.

Most of the current EYPS training providers are not on the procurement framework, including prominent names such as Edge Hill University, Sheffield Hallam University and Tribal. Course leaders are reluctant to talk, but it is obvious that there is suspicion, anger and confusion about the process.

The CWDC, no doubt anticipating a backlash, has put up a rather defensive Q&A on its website, explaining the reasons for setting up the Leadership and Training Framework and how all parties were invited to put themselves forward.

Just imagine the scene, however. A university department last July receives an e-mail from the National College, not specifically mentioning EYPS, about tendering for future procured activity. How many got 'lost', misunderstood or put to one side to await the right person's return?

We may never know how many EYP training providers actually applied to join the framework and were turned down, and how many didn't realise what was going on. Some may be able to continue by dint of joining a consortium led by a provider who is on the framework.

Either way, it seems likely that far fewer organisations will be offering EYPS from 2012.