Early Years and childcare qualifications

Regulations and qualifications for childcare staff

The Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework sets out the requirements for early years staff qualifications.

Providers must make sure that all staff have the appropriate full and relevant qualification to count in the staff to child ratios.

Level 2 qualifications

These qualifications are for staff who work directly with children in assistant roles and under supervision. Should be viewed as a first step towards a full and relevant Level 3 qualification.

Level 3 qualifications

Level 3 qualifications are for staff with more experience of working with children, those who work in more specialised areas, alone and unsupervised, or those who supervise or manage others.

Level 5 qualifications

A Level 5 qualification is an undergraduate level qualification such as a foundation degree.

Level 6 qualifications

Level 6 is a full or honours degree level.

Checking that staff qualifications are full and relevant

Use the early years qualifications checklist to check and ensure that all of your staff’s qualifications are deemed full and relevant by the Department for Education

Checking international qualifications

If you are recruiting staff to work at Level 2 or 3 or higher with an international qualification, you will need a Statement of Comparability for the Early Years Sector from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (UK ENIC).

A Statement of Comparability is an official recognised document that confirms the recognition of an overseas qualification and its comparable level in the UK.

Starting your career through an Early Years Apprenticeship

There are two entry-level early years apprenticeships.

Level 2 early years practitioner

The Level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship would suit those leaving school at 16.

It allows you to work in an early years setting under supervision, supporting the planning and delivery of education and care for 0 to 5 year olds, and is an excellent entry point into the sector.

Level 3 early years educator

The Level 3 Early Years Educator would suit those who want to plan, organise and lead enriching learning activities, and supervise others.

This qualification also enables you to be counted within the staff to child ratio guidelines in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework settings have to follow, which is something employers will be looking for.

Both apprenticeships are suitable for those with no previous experience.

More information about the Early Years Educators Apprenticeships

Continuing professional development with further training and qualifications

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a vital element in maintaining high quality standards in education and childcare

Here you can access a package of workforce training and qualifications, funded by the Department for Education, to support staff and settings in the early years sector.

The funded training and qualification opportunities are designed to support:

Early Years Practitioners
Leaders and Aspiring Leaders
Settings - including private, voluntary, and independent organisations; childminders; school-based nurseries; and maintained nursery schools.

Training

Early Years Child Development training

Early Years Child Development training information

This course training would be useful if you are:

in the early stages of your Early Years career and looking to build your knowledge and understanding of child development and get practical tips and ideas to use in your setting
a Level 3 qualified practitioner looking to refresh your foundational knowledge of child development and get practical tips and ideas to use in your setting
a setting leader or aspiring leader and looking to support your staff through directly delivering evidence-based training on child development within your setting

Early Years Professional Development Programme 3

Early Years Professional Development Programme 3 (EYPDP) information

This training is useful for level 3 qualified practitioners looking to build on existing knowledge of child development (ages 2-4) with a focus on the EYFS prime areas of development

The Experts and Mentors Programmes

The Experts and Mentors Programme (nursery / preschool) / The Experts and Mentors Programme (childminder)

This training is for childminder or setting leaders who would benefit from access to an Early Years expert to help develop your leadership capabilities and mentor support for your practitioners.

Level 3 Early Years Special Educational Needs Coordinator qualification

L3 Early Years Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) qualification information.

This training is aimed at SENCOs working in group-based and childminder settings and those due to take up the role of SENCO in these settings. It may also be useful if you are a Level 3 qualified practitioner acting as a SENCO.

The Early Years Leadership National Professional qualification

The Early Years Leadership National Professional qualification information

This training is for setting leaders or aspiring leader who wants to develop your expertise in leading high-quality education and care, as well as effective staff and organisational management

Early Years Initial Teacher Training

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (ITT) information

This is a is a graduate level course designed for those who wish to specialise in working with babies and young children, from birth to 5 years. This course is good for Level 3 qualified practitioners, setting leader or aspiring leader interested in gaining Early Years Teacher Status (Level 6)

Other local graduate level courses in Brighton & Hove

Early Years Education postgraduate certificate (PGCert) and Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). This course is free.

Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status) MA at the University of Sussex. This course is free.

Early Childhood Degree at the University of Brighton. Government loans are available for this course.

Training for early years and childcare providers in Brighton & Hove

In Brighton & Hove we have a programme of training courses for Early Years providers in the city. Courses include safeguarding, paediatric first aid and a range of e-learning courses.

Other training opportunities provided by Brighton & Hove City Council