Changes to qualification entry requirements within the early years foundation stage statutory framework* for group and school-based providers as of Thursday, 4 January 2024.
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The statutory framework states:
English language skills
3.33 Providers must ensure that staff have sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in their care. For example, settings must be able to:
- Keep records in English.
- Liaise with other agencies in English.
- Summon emergency help.
- Understand instructions. For example, about the safety of medicines or food hygiene.
3.37 In settings on the early years register, the manager of the setting must hold an approved qualification of level 3 or above and at least half of all other staff must hold at least an approved level 2 qualification [21].
Managers appointed on or after 1 January 2024 must have already achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in maths [22] or must do so within two years of starting in the position. Managers are responsible for ensuring staff have the right level of maths knowledge to effectively deliver the EYFS curriculum.
Managers should have at least two years’ experience of working in an early years setting, or have at least two years’ other suitable experience. The provider must ensure there is a named deputy who, in their judgement, is capable and qualified [23] to take charge in the manager’s absence.
3.38 To count within the ratios at level 3, staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification must also have achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in English. An approved qualification is defined by the Department for Education as meeting the criteria set out in the Early Years Qualification Requirements and Standards document. Approved qualifications will be published on the Early Years Qualifications List published on GOV.uk [24].
[21] These qualification requirements do not apply to out-of-school provision for reception ages children, (see paragraph 3.51), and/or childminders.
[22] As defined in the Early Years Qualification Requirements and Standards document.
[23] ‘Capable and qualified’ includes having necessary skills and knowledge to cover for the manager in their absence. A deputy does not have to have any specific qualification.
[24] Check early years qualifications.
What does this mean?
When applying for the level 3 Diploma Early Years Educator qualifications, applicants do not need to have achieved maths GCSE Grade C/4 or higher to be counted in the level 3 ratios. However, practitioners considering career progression to management or higher will need to have maths. It is still a statutory requirement for learners to have achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in English when qualifying on or after the Monday, 1 September 2014 literature to at least grade 4 (or grade C);
Suitable English level 2 qualifications are:
- Functional skills qualification in English at level 2;
- GCSE or International GCSE qualification in English language and/or
- Key skills qualification in communication at level 2;
- A Level or AS Level qualification in English language and/or English literature to at least grade E;
- O Level qualification in English to at least grade C;
- CSE grade 1 English (language);
- Basic skills certificate L2 – certificate in adult literacy;
- British Sign Language (BSL) for people who use BSL as their primary language.
Suitable Maths level 2 qualifications are:
- Functional skills qualification in maths at level 2;
- GCSE or International GCSE qualification in maths to at least grade 4 (or grade C);
- Key skills qualification in application of number at level 2;
- A Level or AS Level qualification in maths or pure maths and/or further maths to at least grade E;
- O Level qualification in maths to at least grade C;
- CSE grade 1 maths;
- Basic skills certificate L2 – certificate in adult numeracy.
