To work in early years childcare, you need the right qualifications. The explains what these are.
To be counted in staff-to-child ratios, your qualification must be full and relevant. The Department for Education decides this. You can check your qualification on the .
There are many ways to start a career in early years and childcare. You can begin after school, through college, with an apprenticeship or by changing careers later in life. The sector welcomes people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.
You can build your skills through a clear path of qualifications. These start at entry level and go up to Level 3 and beyond.
Find out more on the Department for Education’s page
If you need advice, email the Early Years Workforce Development Advisor: sharon.lock@surreycc.gov.uk
You can also subscribe to our Early Education and childcare e-bulletin to get updates on training and news about qualifications.
Page contents
- Paediatric first aid
- Food hygiene
- Entry level and Level 1 qualifications
- Level 2 qualifications or apprenticeship standard
- Level 3 qualifications or apprenticeship standard
- Experience-based route
- Qualifications at levels 4, 5 and 6
- Where to gain qualifications
- Early Years Skills Bootcamps
Paediatric first aid
Current guidance in the is that at least one person who holds a current paediatric first aid certificate (PFA) must be on the premises and available at all times, and must accompany children on outings (EYFS 3.36). The training must be renewed every three years. It is the employer's duty to make sure that any training provider that they choose is competent to deliver the training.
When choosing a training provider, make sure they are:
- a member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme
- part of a voluntary aid society
- working with an Ofqual awarding organisation that offers nationally regulated qualifications
If you hold a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification gained after 30 June 2016, you must get a paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate within 3 months of starting a new job. This is so you can be counted in staff-to-child ratios at Level 2 or Level 3.
If you qualified through the Experience-based route, you must also get a PFA certificate before being counted in Level 3 ratios. You must renew your certificate every 3 years to stay included (EYFS 3.38).
Students and long-term volunteers aged 17 or over, and apprentices aged 16 or over, must also hold a valid PFA certificate to be counted in ratios at the level below their study level (EYFS 3.56).
Food hygiene
In group provision, all staff involved in preparing and handling food must receive training in food hygiene (EYFS 3.71). Level 2 Food hygiene training will need to be sourced and funded independently. Be sure to check it is approved by the .
Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications
These qualifications give you basic knowledge and skills to work with children.
You can apply for unqualified roles and work directly with children as an assistant. You must be supervised by someone with a Level 3 qualification or higher.
Level 2 qualifications or apprenticeship standard
Level 2 qualifications let you work directly with children in early years settings, usually with supervision.
The early years practitioner qualification or apprenticeship standard is recognised as full and relevant at this level.
If you work in out-of-school or wraparound care, you can take playwork qualifications instead.
Level 2 is a good starting point if you want to move on to Level 3. But you don’t have to do Level 2 first. If a training provider or college thinks you’re ready, you can start a Level 3 qualification straight away.
Level 3 qualifications or apprenticeship standard
Level 3 qualifications are for people who work on their own, plan tasks and may manage or supervise others.
You might work in an early years or playwork setting, or as a childminder from home.
There are different full and relevant Level 3 qualifications. These include:
- T Level in education and early years
- Early years educator apprenticeship standard
- Level 3 diplomas with early years educator (EYE) in the title
Since September 2014, all full and relevant Level 3 qualifications include early years educator in their name.
With a Level 3 qualification, you can take on specialist roles. These include:
- special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
- designated safeguarding lead
You can also keep learning by studying topics like:
- working with babies
- enabling environments
- early literacy
To be counted in staff-to-child ratios at Level 3, you must also have a suitable Level 2 English qualification. This applies if you hold an early years educator qualification or have been approved through the experience-based route (EYFS 3.45).
Level 2 functional skills and GCSEs are accepted.
You can check qualifications on the
Experience-based route
The experience-based route is for people who have hands-on experience working with children but don’t have a full and relevant Level 3 qualification.
To take this route, you must meet certain criteria and already be working in an early years setting.
Find out more on the
Qualifications at levels 4, 5 and 6
You can take qualifications at Levels 4, 5 and 6 to help you move forward in your early years career.
These include:
- Level 5 diploma for the early years senior practitioner
- foundation degrees
- Level 5 early years lead practitioner apprenticeship standard
You can build on a foundation degree by adding academic credits. This can lead to a full ordinary or honours degree in early years education.
If you want to become an , you must:
- complete a full degree with the right classification
- have GCSEs at grades 4 to 9 (or equivalent) in English, maths and science
If you already have a full and relevant Level 3 qualification and lots of experience, you can also apply for the .
If you’ve worked with children aged 0 to 5 for at least 2 years and hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification, these routes are a great next step in your career.
Where to gain qualifications
Most childcare qualifications are gained while you work in a setting.
You can study through:
- local colleges
- private training providers
- national distance learning centres
These offer qualifications at all levels, including early years teacher status.
near you, to help you get a job or build your skills.
We recommend contacting a few providers. They can advise you on:
- the right qualification for your role
- entry requirements
- how the course is taught and assessed
Most childcare qualifications are work-based. If you’re not employed, you could volunteer in a local childcare setting to gain experience.
Early Years Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses that last up to 16 weeks. They are run by training providers or colleges.
They help you learn the key skills you need to get a job in early years childcare. You’ll learn through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions.
Topics include:
- health and safety
- safeguarding
- child development
- the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
To join, you must:
- be aged 19 or over
- have the right to work in the UK
You can be unemployed, self-employed or employed and looking to change career.
When you finish the course, you can apply for an accelerated Level 3 early years educator apprenticeship.