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Resources and websites

Managers can check an early years qualification digital service to quickly verify whether staff qualifications meet the requirements for staff:child ratios in England.

This free GOV.​UK tool allows managers to check a qualification’s approval status by entering key details such as:

  • Course start date.
  • Level.
  • Awarding organisation.

At the end of the process, a clear outcome is provided, which can be printed for your records.

Why use the new service?

Using the new Check an early years qualification service:

  • Saves time during recruitment and HR processes.
  • Supports workforce planning ahead of the September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements.
  • Reduces confusion when checking qualifications.

The service is tailored specifically for early years managers. All other user groups, for example, practitioners, should continue to use the early years qualifications list (EYQL) to check qualifications and contact the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC), our early years services supplier, if they are unable to find the qualification on the EYQL.

The check an early years qualification service is for qualifications achieved in the UK. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact our supplier, UK ENIC, for an assessment.

You can get help with the check an early years qualification service by contacting the Department for Education.

NCFE/CACHE

As the market leader in the sector, our early years and childcare qualifications are the hallmark of quality and assure employers that their workforce has the right knowledge, skills, and behaviours to excel in their professional responsibilities. Check out the website for support and resources.

Nursery World

One of the leading titles for early years education and childcare professionals.

Cambridgeshire Skills

Adult learning and skills service.

EYFS statutory framework

The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to five.

Statement of Comparability 

This service is for you if you need to evidence the level of your overseas qualification for employment, study, professional registration, or another reason.

The Statement of Comparability service can evaluate part-completed school qualifications. This may help people arriving in the UK from overseas who want their children to access A-levels.

Employers and study institutions commonly require high school qualifications in the UK (GCSE). Please include your high school and senior high school qualifications if you need GCSE comparisons to be considered.

Help for early years providers

The EYFS has changed. Find guidance and practical support to help you with the changes.

These resources are for childminders, nursery leaders, and preschool practitioners.

National Professional Qualification (NPQ): Early years leadership framework –  October 2021

Size: 463KB File format: pdf

This publication guides the Department for Education. It outlines the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that teachers will develop when participating in the NPQ for Early Years Leadership.

Safeguarding

Important Department for Education documents to support providers:

Size: 1.31MB File format: pdf