The Oxford English Dictionary clarifies that the word equal means as follows: adjective- • (of people) having the same status, rights, or opportunities I understood that EYPs were supposed to be equal to QTS in terms of Early Years expertise but it seems that we will never have the same status. rights or opportunities. Now it seems we will also be usurped by EYTs. Don't get me wrong, I totally support the aim to professionalise the workforce but feel that by effectively down-grading and demotivating EYPs, we will lose their excellent skills by forcing them out of the sector!