‘Completing my Early Years Teacher qualification has been the making of my role’
Laura Kelly recalls how she came to attain early years teacher status, and what the qualification has done for her practice since…
- by Laura Kelly
At Early Years Teacher network meetings, colleagues often ask me about my journey to gaining Early Years Teacher Status, and how it benefits my daily practice.
Ironically, after leaving school I started out on a visual arts pathway – achieving my A levels, degree and a Masters in Arts and Museum Management while working in childcare settings to fund my studies. But when I had gained these qualifications I realised that although I had a creative flare and love for art, I kept being drawn to working with the Foundation Stage, supporting babies and young children in their early phases of development. It all began when I met up with an old school friend. We discussed her recent promotion at a privately run nursery and I happened to mention I was keen to gain further experience in nursery settings. It really was a case of being in the right place at the time! I began spending more of my time at her setting, and it evolved into a full-time position working as a nursery assistant. It didn’t take long for the manager to see my love for working with children and supporting their progression. Before I knew it, I’d signed up to study for what was then the Early Years Professional Status, and was promoted to a room leader position.
High standards
I’ve always been a very hands-on person and enjoy working with others, so I threw myself into projects to implement positive changes, encouraging my co-workers to be reflective and raise standards across all age ranges throughout the setting.
This worked perfectly with the tasks required as part of my EYP training, as I found the Early Years Standards I was presented with ran parallel to what I was trying to achieve within the nursery. By the time I had gained my Early Years Professional Status – now recognised as Early Years Teacher Status – I’d climbed the ladder and become the assistant manager. All of a sudden I was an Early Years Teacher; one fortunate enough to work within an early years setting that fully supported, understood and inspired EYTs to raise standards across early years childcare and education.
Having gained my EYTS and taken on the assistant manager role, I am now a supernumerary member of staff. This gives me the opportunity to try to achieve the high standards that all EYTs aspire to adhere to as part of their role. I have managerial duties throughout the day, which involve having to balance leading and supporting staff, with hands-on practice with my target children. These target children are identified through strong monitoring systems to ensure they progress and achieve their learning outcomes.
New responsibilities
Although I already had the urge and natural drive to lead, support and implement change in my workplace, I believe that completing my Early Years Teacher qualification has been the making of my role. I’ve used the standards to guide my own style and way of working to benefit and assist the development of staff and learning for children at the setting. The standards have also benefited my practice, as I have refined my skills to set high expectations, inspire others and put individual children’s needs at the forefront. As I’m always looking at ways to enhance my own continuous professional development, I’ve recently also become the creative lead for the UK’s only Early Years Teacher organisation, EYTO – a membership organisation for Early Years Teachers (and EYPs) to network, train, develop and grow in their important role.
Rebecca McGrath, founder of EYTO, is my setting’s business manager and owner, and her principal aim is to nurture and support EYTs, give them the recognition they deserve for the vital work they do within early years, and ensure that the quality teaching and learning continues to improve each day.
Laura Kelly is an EYT, nursery assistant manager and creative lead at EYTO
EYTO membership is free to all early years teachers and early years professionals; for more information, visit www.eyto.co.uk or follow @EYTOuk
