Why the Early Years Professional Development Programme is crucial for early years
We are shocked and confused at the Government’s decision to close the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP) this week. Since it was first launched in April 2019, the EYPDP has left a profound impact has on early years educators and the tens of thousands of children they support across England.
The incredible EYPDP programme trainers delivered training to staff in over 5,000 early years settings and 153 local authorities, providing support to over 100,000 children aged 2-4. The programme’s impact and reach is concrete proof that investing in early years education creates positive change throughout communities, which is why it’s so disappointing to see it close without explanation when the impact is so evident.
Impact that speaks volumes
One of the standout achievements of the EYPDP is the overwhelmingly positive feedback from early years practitioners:
Thank you for your excellent, kind support in the webinars. I am really enjoying it each week and although I have worked in early years for many years now, I am finding this course very useful and gaining new ideas and strategies each week to support the children I work with.
I really enjoyed the course – it was really helpful to revisit key foundations and learn the new language used to describe them. I have been able to put into practice some of the learning, for example providing time for responses and considering how I respond and challenge next steps.
Of the early years practitioners who took part in the programme,
98% feel more confident
98% feel more knowledgeable
93% recommend the EYPDP to others
Training for the early years workforce is vital: when they are equipped with the right skills and knowledge, they not only thrive professionally, but are also putting their learning into practice and giving every child in their care a chance to thrive.
Supporting more than speech and language development
The EYPDP included core modules on providing support in key areas: communication and language, early mathematics and personal, emotional and social development. Children need early years staff who know how to help them develop these foundations for lifelong learning and well-being. Without this, we are failing them.
What now?
Given the proven benefits of the EYPDP, it is deeply concerning that the Government – which highlighted early years as a priority in its manifesto – has allowed this vital programme to close without providing an alternative. Its closure risks leaving millions of children at nurseries and childminders without staff who know how to support their speech, language, personal, emotional and social development. That’s a risk our country can’t afford.
We hope that the Government reconsiders funding the EYPDP in the next Spending Review. It’s not just about funding an impactful training programme, it’s about ensuring that our children have every opportunity to thrive. Our children deserve nothing less.
