CETAD at Lancaster University is one of the few universities and educational colleges in the country to offer the training course.
Early Years Professional Status gives people in the North West the opportunity to achieve the national 'gold standard' in child development and care to become Early Years Professionals - and give local children under five a brighter future.
By achieving the Status, Early Years Professionals will be equipped with the expertise, skills and confidence to lead the development of the under fives through learning and play, ensuring that each child is nurtured during the crucial first five years of their life.
Supported by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), this new Status is the first step in a national drive to transform the early years workforce, as the Government aims to have an Early Years Professional in every full daycare setting by 2015.
Early Years Professional applicants can be from people looking to enhance their current childcare experience and from those considering a career change. There are a number of pathways available through Training Providers, dependent on applicants' experience. Graduates not currently working in the childcare sector will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a local nursery or pre-school as part of the training.
Thom Crabbe, National Development Manager for Early Years at CWDC, said: "It is an exciting time to be working in early years and we are moving towards our aim of employing one Early Years Professional in every childcare setting by 2015.
"Gaining the Status is a great opportunity for those currently working in early years, or for those keen to do so, to develop their skills, take on leadership and play a vital role in shaping the most important years of a child's life."
Those interested in achieving Early Years Professional Status can find out more at http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/futures or call 0800 996600.
