It is over twenty-five years since the first Early Childhood Studies degree students graduated and the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) was launched. The degree was aimed at providing higher level study opportunities for those working in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. Since this time the number of degrees has grown enormously, and Early Childhood is now firmly established as an inter-disciplinary academic field in its own right with a QAA Benchmark Statement. The need for highly qualified graduate Early Childhood practitioners is as relevant today as it was in the early 1990s. The introduction of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner competencies, as an optional route in degree programmes, is a timely and important development. Use the slidshow below to earn more about the ECSDN Graduate Practitioner Competencies.