If you're passionate about shaping the minds of young children and considering a career in early years education, understanding the required qualifications is an essential first step. The UK’s early years sector has specific criteria in place to ensure educators possess the skills, expertise, and knowledge needed to nurture a child's development effectively.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about the qualifications required for early years roles, how they impact staff-to-child ratios, and the steps to ensure you meet the Department for Education's (DfE) guidelines.

What Are "Full and Relevant" Early Years Qualifications?

The term "full and relevant" is used by the Department for Education (DfE) to refer to qualifications that meet their standards for working in early years settings, such as nurseries and preschools. Staff holding these qualifications can count toward the mandatory staff-to-child ratios specified in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

Approved Qualifications Include:

• Level 2 and Level 3 early years certifications that align with DfE criteria.

• Qualifications that include evaluated components, such as practical assessments.

• Recognition by Ofqual as regulated qualifications.

If your qualification meets these requirements and is listed in the Early Years Qualification List (EYQL), you are considered fully qualified to work with children under the EYFS framework.

Note: Holding an inappropriate or "not full and relevant" qualification means you cannot be counted in staff ratios, even if you have work experience.

For a detailed view, check out the Early Years Qualification List on gov.uk.

Why Are Early Years Qualifications Important?

1. Staff-to-Child Ratios

The EYFS mandates specific ratios to ensure that children receive the attention and care they need:

• Level 2 staff can usually be included in the 1:8 staff-to-child ratios for children aged 3-5.

• Level 3 staff may count toward 1:4 ratios for children aged 2, or 1:8 ratios for older age groups.

• Only specific qualifications—such as Level 6 with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)—unlock further responsibilities and ratios.

2. Quality of Care

Qualified individuals possess skills in child safeguarding, development, communication, and observation—core areas essential to fostering young minds.

3. Career Progression

Higher-level qualifications (Level 4-6 across degrees, apprenticeships, and specialized certifications like Montessori pedagogy) open more significant opportunities for leadership and specialised roles.

How to Make Sure Your Qualification Counts

Step 1: Use the Early Years Qualification List (EYQL)

The EYQL categorises qualifications into essential tabs:

• Qualifications started before September 2014.

• Qualifications started post-September 2014.

• Future updates for qualifications starting 2024–2025.

Filter by qualification level and awarding organization to confirm your eligibility. Each qualification includes notes on additional conditions, like specific assessment requirements or naming conventions, which need to match precisely with your certification title.

Step 2: Check Additional Conditions

Some qualifications may require specific elements, such as:

• Assessed performance through activities like workplace observations, case studies, and simulations.

• Pathway specialisation, like the "knowledge-only" pathway for Level 2.

Step 3: Verify With Your Certificate

Ensure your certificate's title exactly matches the one listed in the EYQL. Even a slight discrepancy in the name might make the qualification invalid.

Exploring "Full and Relevant" Early Years Qualifications

Level 2 Qualifications

Often the starting point for entry-level roles, a Level 2 qualification makes you eligible to assist in childcare practice. Examples include:

• BIIAB Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner.

• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioners.

Key Update:

For qualifications started between September 2014 and August 2019, all early years certifications are full and relevant only if they meet Ofqual regulations.

Level 3 Qualifications (Early Years Educators)

Early Years Educators with Level 3 certifications are usually placed in higher-responsibility roles. Examples:

• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Post-Sept 2024).

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Care and Education (Post-Sept 2025).

If you aspire to work in leadership or advanced roles, a Level 3 qualification is key.

Level 6 and Higher

To count for 1:13 staff-to-child ratios, professionals must hold qualifications like:

• QTS.

• EYTS or EYPS.

Without specifically holding these credentials, even a Level 6 degree will only qualify you for Level 3 ratios.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Unlisted Qualifications

If your qualification isn’t on the EYQL, it cannot be used to meet staff ratio calculations. Check before starting a course to avoid surprises.

2. Ignoring Achievement Date Standards

Changes to qualification criteria have introduced stricter timelines:

• From September 2024, qualifications must meet revised criteria for "assessed practical competency."

• From September 2025, older versions of certain qualifications will no longer be listed.

3. Title Mismatch on Certificates

Double-check that your certificate's title, date, and level align with what's listed on the EYQL—down to the letter.

Resources to Simplify the Process

• EYFS Staffing Ratios: Detailed breakdown of early years staff requirements.

• DfE Qualification Checker Tool: An interactive spreadsheet for filtering approved certifications by type, awarding body, and suitability.

• Training Providers: Accredited institutions that offer "full and relevant" early years programs.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're just starting or advancing in your early years career, having the right qualifications is non-negotiable. They reflect not just your skills, but also your commitment to delivering high-quality care and education to young learners.

To ensure your role aligns with current EYFS guidelines, regularly consult the Early Years Qualification List (EYQL) and keep up to date with DfE updates. For aspiring educators, selecting the right training course or apprenticeship is vital to setting the foundation for a fulfilling career.

Need help confirming your qualifications? Visit gov.uk to learn more or download the full Early Years Qualification Requirements document.

If you’re ready to take your career in Early Years Education to the next level, Zen Educate is your ethical alternative to agencies. More pay, more flexibility, more control over your career - sign up now and start earning more while doing what you love!