Opinion: Letters

SPECIALIST TEACHER?

I have read Aspect's gloomy prediction regarding the future of EYPS with interest and a little cynical agreement (News, 16 April).

However, while the early years desperately needs a realistic salary framework, the area of professional acknowledgment is a more delicate issue.

There does sometimes exist a pretentious hierarchical attitude from those possessing Qualified Teacher Status. But I have worked with many dedicated early years teachers who have the child at the heart of their practice.

Sadly, QTS is often reflected in job descriptions too, particularly within the growing world of children's services. What does this mean in reality? To achieve QTS trainees must deliver approximately 18 months of teaching practice after achieving a degree in any subject. Early years practitioners have a range of routes to achieve EYPS, usually through a recognised early childhood studies degree pathway. Most of them are working in settings while achieving this, and may have been for years. Generally this equates to more than 18 months 'teaching' practice. These professionals arrive with their qualified status as specialised early years practitioners, often with a depth of knowledge, understanding and application through their work with under-fives far outweighing that of some teachers in EYFS units in schools. Dedicated teachers wishing to specialise in early years and add EYPS to their qualifications often have the barrier of finding the opportunity to study and work with under-threes.