Abstract
This report of an Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) funded collaborative research project explores the experiences and perceptions of Early Childhood Studies (ECS) graduates in the workplace. Previous research has shown the benefits of a graduate workforce in the delivery of high-quality education and care for young children, their families and communities. This project aimed to build upon the previous two ECSDN funded projects and was completed in two phases. The first involved a national survey of ECS graduates which aimed to understand their experiences as they entered the workforce and developed their own career pathways. The second phase centred around an online ‘world café’ event for employers which aimed to understand the value of the degree and its graduates from the perspective of the sector. Shared thematic analysis brought the findings from these two phases together to draw conclusions about the overall experiences and perceptions of ECS
graduates in the workplace.
The key findings and recommendations are:
• 1. Promoting the value of the degree experience to the individual learner
There needs to be greater appreciation of the wide diversity of career pathways that ECS Degrees contribute towards and the transferable skills developed through the ECS degree experience.
• 2. Advocating for ECS degrees and their value to society
Employers value ECS graduates for their knowledge and understanding, but there needs to be a shared appreciation of this value from parents, policymakers and wider society.
• 3. Bridging the gap between theory and practice
The practitioner role is increasingly challenging and complex. Graduates will continue to require support once they enter workplace. There is scope for new networking opportunities for graduates within ECSDN and for further alignment between degree and workplace professional learning opportunities.
• 4. An eco-system of early childhood
A joined-up, bi-directional partnership approach to working with the sector, that supports ECS students and employers, as well as universities, is needed at a time of crisis for the sector.
• 4. National qualifications frameworks and pay scales
Policymakers should consider a national qualification framework with commensurate funding and pay scales.
graduates in the workplace.
The key findings and recommendations are:
• 1. Promoting the value of the degree experience to the individual learner
There needs to be greater appreciation of the wide diversity of career pathways that ECS Degrees contribute towards and the transferable skills developed through the ECS degree experience.
• 2. Advocating for ECS degrees and their value to society
Employers value ECS graduates for their knowledge and understanding, but there needs to be a shared appreciation of this value from parents, policymakers and wider society.
• 3. Bridging the gap between theory and practice
The practitioner role is increasingly challenging and complex. Graduates will continue to require support once they enter workplace. There is scope for new networking opportunities for graduates within ECSDN and for further alignment between degree and workplace professional learning opportunities.
• 4. An eco-system of early childhood
A joined-up, bi-directional partnership approach to working with the sector, that supports ECS students and employers, as well as universities, is needed at a time of crisis for the sector.
• 4. National qualifications frameworks and pay scales
Policymakers should consider a national qualification framework with commensurate funding and pay scales.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Publication status | Published (VoR) - 2 Jun 2025 |
Funding
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network |