In April 2024, the Department for Education launched a consultation for the introduction of an ‘experience-only’ route to becoming a Level 3 ratio Early Years Educator. Previously only granted with the completion of a qualification, this highly regulated role has been impacted by a workforce crisis in recent years.

As such, the consultation poses an idea like former assessment-only routes in the teaching and education sector, which also aimed to support candidates to qualifying roles where there were workforce crises. While this route offers an accessible approach to working at ratio for experienced practitioners where there is a need for them, the sector will need to consider how to ensure that a role which has been commensurate with high standards of specialist qualification-based training (such as the former NNEB) can maintain high standards of knowledge and care.

The benefits

There is no doubt that this initiative will recognise the valuable contribution that our unqualified team members give to our workforce, allowing them to be included in staff-to-child ratios at Level 3 after completing a supervised practice period. Other benefits include the provision of a pathway for experienced staff to advance their careers without the immediate need for formal qualifications.

Additionally, broadening the numbers of staff who can work within ratio can help to alleviate recruitment and retention challenges in early years settings.

The risks

Alongside the benefits, there are risks that settings need to be aware of, such as the variability in standards across different settings. As individual providers assess their staff, it is essential that clear guidance on the required standards for a practitioner to meet Level 3 in this way is provided to the settings, alongside external quality assurance checks to support the provider in their decision making, and that these are standardised to meet best practice across the setting.

This route may lead to a loss of the foundational training, such as gaining an understanding of the theories that underpin the care and education provided to babies and young children. The Level 3 diploma qualifications and apprenticeships do offer a robust approach to theory of children’s learning and development and its application in practice.

The process involves:

• An assessment of the practitioner’s existing knowledge and skills against the Early Years Educator Standards
• A minimum of 751 hours of supervised practice within the setting
• A final assessment to confirm if the practitioner meets the required standards

While this opportunity offers a new route and supports the development of our experienced practitioners, there are some limitations to be aware of before embarking on this new journey. The route is not automatically transferable across settings. If a candidate completes their experience-only process in one setting or nursery group, moving to another would require the process to begin again. The recognition would be linked to the setting it has been achieved within.

It’s also important for the candidate and the setting to be aware that the achievement of the experience-only route does not equate to achieving a full certificate from an awarding organisation such as NCFE or TQUK, which may impact progression later – when seeking to move into higher education, for example. Those who gain Level 3 status through the experience-based route may find that their options for career progression are more limited, as management roles still require a formal Level 3 qualification. In some instances, your staff member may still prefer to complete a diploma or apprenticeship.

Those interested in undertaking the experience-only route must hold either a full and relevant Level 2 Diploma, or a Level 3 (or higher) childcare qualification that is not full and relevant. They must have worked in an early years setting or related sector for at least one year. The setting must be graded as a good or outstanding in their most recent Ofsted inspection, or in a school setting, the school must not be in special measures or requiring improvement. The DfE guidance offers more information on the process and the requirements.

The qualification-based (such as apprenticeship and diplomas) routes available will hold their relevance in the sector. Those studying towards the qualification-based route will achieve their full and relevant diploma, which is transferable across settings and holds credits for applications to higher education opportunities. It will also allow the candidate to progress in the sector and undertake management roles. The practitioners undertaking their Level 3 qualifications will have studied the theoretical and pedagogical aspects of the role in great depth with the understanding of how these approaches influence their practice.

The sector will always welcome support for the recruitment and retention of high-quality and experienced practitioners to the workforce, and the ‘experience-only’ route does offer an additional way to recognise our hard-working and dedicated practitioners. We would, however, continue to implore the Government, who state that “early years and childcare are a key pillar” to breaking down “barriers to opportunity”, to review and improve funding to the early years sector in recognition of its value to our communities and society. Better funding will lead to higher salaries and financial reward for the staff and the role they undertake, which will improve retention and recruitment.

Training opportunities for early years practitioners

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are government-funded (with a 5% employer contribution if not a levy payer), work-based programmes. Apprentices will undertake their training within their setting, where they are employed. Apprenticeships are available at Level 2, 3, and 5. A new Level 6 apprenticeship route is being introduced in September. Please see my related blog which outlines the different levels and how these link to the required ratios.

Experience-only routes

This new route, which will be introduced in March 2025, allows practitioners who hold a Level 2 early years qualification to work towards a Level 3 status through an experience-based and supervised assessment process within their own setting.

Diplomas and degree

Diplomas can be undertaken in college or through private training providers, offering a flexible approach for those not yet employed in the sector. Full and relevant qualifications are available with a range of awarding organisations, and include the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner, Level 3 Early Years Educator, Level 3 Senior Practitioner, and the Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Pedagogy. Degrees and Foundation degrees at various institutions may also be full and relevant providing there is an element of assessed practice and meeting the QAA requirements for Early Childhood degree programmes.