Calling any EYP'S for help....

Calling any EYP'S for help....

by: Joanne Gulliver - 25-01-12 14:36

Hi,

I am just embarking on my 3rd year of Early Childhood Studies Degree and hopefully achieve EYP status at the same time. I work as a deputy in a playgroup with children aged 2 to school age. I need to show evidence of working with babies in my file. I have not actually started the EYP process, this begins in April 2012, but I was wanting to start the 'baby side' of it before as a time saving device. I am a mum of 4 with the youngest being just 1, but this does not count!! Can anyone out there outline some specifics about what I would need to cover. I understand that I need to lead and support others, and need to evidence and  understand how babies develop and learn. Some advice and help would be greatly appreciated, as I do not know any EYP's in my area, but would like to eventually meet one to see what the bench mark is to achieve the standards of the EYPS. Thank You

by: kaz (the first one!)

Hi Joanne

When I did my EYP I did not work with babies either as a manager of a preschool. I worked term time so spent time during half term and holidays at a local day nursery as a volunteer. I explained to the room leader what I needed to do and promised I wasn't trying to tell her how to do her job! I had to do an activity with the babies and lead and support the baby room staff with it. I devised a treasure basket (yes they did already have one!) but made mine a shiny metal one, printed off some information on the history of trasure baskets (not all staff know how they were developed) and introduced it one afternoon as an observation. I was also lucky enough to be able to include the room leader in my list of telephone witnesses so that backed up what I did.
I have to say that although I have never been interested in babies, the experience was great and I'm much more open to it (and now have a baby room in one of my settings!)

by: Anon.

Hiya,

I completed my EYPS in 2010, I was working in toddlers but arranged to work in the baby room one day a week while I complied my evidence.

Like Kaz I told the room leader I wasnt there to undermine her or tell her what to do and the whole team were very supportive of me. I also used the Room Leader as one of my witnesses, I think that's one the best ways to show you understand as they can verify what you did!

I decided to bring Baby Signing into the room as it turned out that most of the team had been on a baby signing course but didn't feel confident to bring what they had learnt into the room. We started slowly, introducing one sign a week and printing out flashcards for parents to take home. The response was really positive, got lots of feedback from parents and the team were really excited about using the skills they had learnt. 

The best thing to do (in my opinion!) is to find out what the staff would like to change/implement but haven't had the time or the confidence to do it.

Good luck with your course- gaining EYP status was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have done!