This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure Early Years Professionals (EYPs) are recognised and rewarded commensurate with their professional status and leadership role in early years, through the agreement and implementation of nationally agreed structures for pay and conditions. More details
Submitted by Helen Willis of Aspect (Association of Professionals in Education and Children's Trusts) – Deadline to sign up by: 22 January 2010 – Signatures: 484
Early Years Professionals are being recruited in order to lead change, drive excellence throughout the early years sector, and spearhead the government's drive to tackle the poor outcomes that still dominate in areas of entrenched disadvantage.
However, despite this crucial role in leading change it has been shown (Aspect survey, published 2009) that the average pay for an EYP is only £8-£9.
Early Years Professional Status is considered equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status. When recruited EYPs were told the new roles would lead to positions that had parity with the roles of teachers in schools. It is essential that to continue to recruit and retain this essential workforce, and to meet the ambitious targets the CWDC are working towards to have EYPs in every setting by 2015, similar national pay arrangements to teachers (and other professional groups such as doctors, social workers and police officers) should be put in place immediately.
Helen Willis, the Petition Creator, joined by: