Workforce Development for Early Years and Childcare Providers

All early years providers working with children from birth to 5 years old must meet the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Providers must ensure staff in their setting have the appropriate qualifications, including the need to have staff trained in paediatric first aid.

The Department of Education defines the qualifications that staff must hold to count in the EYFS staff-to-child ratios.

It is the early years provider's responsibility when recruiting early years practitioners that they check the Department of Education “qualification list” to ensure that person's qualification meets the full and relevant criteria.

Guidance is available for those who have achieved early years qualifications outside the United Kingdom.

Read more information on recruiting and managing early years staff.

Review of the Early Years Educator Level 3 Qualification 

The Government have reviewed the criteria for the Early Years Educator Level 3 - the new criteria for this qualification will take effect from 1 September 2024.

The Department for Education has launched a free online Early years child development training course aimed at childminders, nursery practitioners and nursery managers.

The flexible online training has been developed in consultation with early years experts and provides a greater understanding of child development.

The training

• gives practical advice for supporting children in early years settings
• includes opportunities to reflect on your practice
• reinforces your understanding through learning check questions and tests
• allows you to pause and restart the training at any time
• offers the chance to download certificates of achievement for each module

The first 6 modules of the training are available now. Further modules will be added in the coming months. Find out more about this training and to enrol