Early Childhood Graduate Competencies

Description of impact

The researchers piloted the Early Childhood Graduate Competencies in 8 Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in 2018-2019, and they are being embedded in 28 additional HEIs in September 2020. The UK body responsible for academic standards, the Quality Assurance Association, have now included the competencies in the Early Childhood Degrees benchmark statement and the Department for Education in the Full and Relevant qualifications to work in early years. They are also included in the Early Years Career Pathway.

Stakeholders/Beneficiaries

Higher Education Institutions; students; practitioners and other workers in Early Childhood Education and Care, children

How have research outputs led to this impact?

Eunice was the lead author on developing the Early Childhood Graduate Competencies, working collaboratively with colleagues of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN). The competencies aim to strengthen Early Childhood degrees, graduate employment and clarify the work experience of students for the Early Years Workforce. The competencies are owned by and embedded into the work of ECSDN, ensuring they are nationally embedded owned democratically by the members so that their longevity, evolution, recognition and quality are ensured.

The work draws on and embeds the knowledge, skills and attributes that emerged from her doctoral research on workforce reform and the development of a new professional in early years and subsequent roles advising on early years workforce development nationally and internationally, as well as her research on poverty, child protection and students’ motivations to study in early childhood studies.

Impact status	Ongoing
Impact date	2018 → 2020
Category of impact	04: Quality Education (UN SDG), 17: Partnerships for Goals (UN SDG), 01: No Poverty (UN SDG), 05: Gender Equality (UN SDG), 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN SDG), 17: Partnerships for Goals (UN SDG), Quality of life impacts, Social impacts, Public policy impacts, Economic impacts, 03: Good Health and Well-Being (UN SDG)
Impact level	Mid Stage Impact