Updates to this book are related to the revised "CWDC Candidate Handbook 2009". The Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) award is aimed at early years practitioners and graduates seeking a career in the early years sector. The award offers the opportunity to engage in reflection, identify professional development needs and develop interpersonal skills, empowering candidates to lead high quality practice in early years settings. This book provides advice and guidance on every part of the process, including: what EYPS is and why it's important; how to gain EYPS via the various training pathways; how to meet the EYP standards; how to identify effective leadership characteristics; ways to model, support and promote good outcomes for children; ways to develop and mentor early years practitioners; and, how to work in partnership with children, families and other professionals. Each chapter includes reference to the EYPS standards, photographs to illustrate practice, case study material, reflective practice tasks, links to other EYP standards (where appropriate), suggested further reading and useful websites. Denise Reardon worked as an early years teacher before moving into further and higher education and becoming Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) Programme Director at Canterbury Christ Church University.