Qualifications and progression pathways

Information to help practitioners and managers to support staff with their personal development.

There are many routes into early years and childcare. Some people may join the early years and childcare sector straight from school as an apprentice and others may study a qualification at college or university. Some people may join the sector later in life as part of a career or lifestyle change.

There are clear progression pathways for practitioners to enabled them to upskill and take their careers to the next stage.

The information in this page will help practitioners make informed decisions about their personal development and managers about how to support staff development whilst meeting business needs.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework

All providers working with children from birth to 5 years old must follow the EYFS regulations on qualified staff-to-child ratios. Providers must also ensure staff have qualifications that are recognised by the Department for Education (DfE) as full and relevant to be counted in ratios.

It is important for learners and practitioners to understand what this means for them when they are entering and progressing through the sector. It is important for managers to be planning for staff development, including succession planning, so the setting remains compliant at all times. You can find out more about this in our information on staff retention.

Early years and childcare progression pathway

This pathway includes childminders. Although childminders do not need an early years qualification, many like to gain qualifications as they develop and grow as early years professionals.

Qualifications are valued by parents or carers when they are choosing childcare, so upskilling can strengthen a childminders business.

  • Practitioners with basic knowledge and skills. They can work directly with children in assistant roles and under the supervision of a practitioner with level 3 or above.

    Potential job roles:

    • Childminder
    • Childminding assistant
    • Nursery assistant

  • Practitioners with this level of qualification should have good knowledge and skills. For example practitioners with a full and relevant level 2 Early Years Practitioner diploma can work directly with children under the supervision of a practitioner with level 3 or above.

    Potential job roles:

    • Childminder
    • Childminding assistant
    • Nursery assistant

  • Practitioners with this level of qualification should be able to apply knowledge and skills to improve practice. For example, practitioners with a full and relevant level 3 Early Years Educator diploma can work on their own initiative, planning and organising their own work and supervising others.

    Potential job roles:

    • Childminder
    • Childminding assistant
    • Early years practitioner
    • Room leader
    • Deputy manager
    • Manager

    Practitioners with a level 3 qualification and above can take specialist roles in early years and childcare settings. This could include roles such as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator or Designated Safeguarding Lead. Practitioners might choose to study specific topics to give them expertise in specific areas. For example, working with babies, enabling environments or early literacy.

    Managers or aspiring managers with a full and relevant level 3 qualification can also access the National Professional Qualification Early Years Leadership. This qualification will give managers the tools to establish and sustain their settings strategic direction and create a thriving environment in which all staff feel supported and valued with opportunities to develop.

    It is important to note that some practitioners will not go on to further qualifications once they have a level 3. But they may still have a wealth of experience and draw on this to shape, develop and innovate practice across their settings.

  • Practitioners with this level of qualification should be able to analyse their own practice and the practice of others. They can use this skill to shape and develop practice.

    Roles include:

    • Childminder
    • Early years practitioner
    • Room leader
    • Deputy manager
    • Manager

  • Practitioners with this level of qualification should have advanced knowledge and skills. They can critique practice and draw on theory and research to lead and develop practice across a setting.

    Roles include:

    • Childminder
    • Early years practitioner
    • Room leader
    • Deputy manager
    • Manager
    • Area manager

  • Practitioners with this level of qualification should have specialist level knowledge and skills. They can critically reflect on and research practice to innovate when developing practice across a setting.

    Roles include:

    • Childminder
    • Early years practitioner
    • Room leader
    • Deputy manager
    • Manager
    • Area manager

    Other professional development opportunities include moving into other areas, such as:

    • Assessor
    • Tutor
    • Local authority quality advisor
    • Ofsted inspector
    • Early years consultant or trainer

  • Practitioners with Early Years Teacher Status (or previously Early Years Professional Status – EYPS) have met the high standards government has set. They should have a deep understanding of how children develop and learn.

    Roles include:

    • Childminder
    • Early years practitioner
    • Room leader
    • Deputy manager
    • Manager
    • Area manager

    Other professional development opportunities include moving into other areas, such as:

    • Assessor
    • Tutor
    • Lecturer
    • Local authority quality advisor
    • Ofsted inspector
    • Early years consultant or trainer

    Other sectors, including education, health and social care value the knowledge, skills and experience early years practitioners bring. Some practitioners will undertake a degree that will allow them to move into other areas, such as teaching, social work, health visiting and early help.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine work with training and study, so learners get a qualification whilst on the job.

Apprenticeships normally take between 12 and 18 months to complete. Learners are expected to complete 20% of their working hours in off-the-job training. They can then practice their new skills in the workplace.

Who can take an apprenticeship

To apply for an apprenticeship, learners need to:

  • be 16 or older
  • not in full-time education
  • live in England
  • balance work, life and study

Ideally, they will have achieved grade 4 or above in Maths and English GCSEs (or equivalent). If not, Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English will be part of their apprenticeship.

There are 2 entry-level early years apprenticeships:

  • level 2 early years practitioner (equivalent to GCSEs)
  • level 3 early years educator (equivalent to A levels)

Both are suitable for those with no previous experience, but Level 2 may be more suitable for those leaving school at 16. Once qualified, the practitioner will be able to work in an early years and childcare setting under supervision.

In this role they will be supporting the planning and delivery of education and care for 0 to 5 year olds, making it a good entry point into the sector.

The level 3 qualification is more suitable for those who want to plan, organise and lead enriching learning activities, and supervise others.

There is also a level 5 apprenticeship, which is aimed at highly skilled practitioners who want to take an operational lead in their settings.

There is one entry-level Playwork apprenticeship that is perfect for those wanting to work in out-of-school childcare or holiday playschemes. The level 2 Playworker apprenticeship focuses on how to care for and support children in taking responsibility for themselves and their own play, and how to create a stimulating and adventurous space for children to learn and explore.

How to find an apprenticeship

There are different places to start looking for an apprenticeship:

  • the county council are offering early years and childcare providers the opportunity to advertise vacancies on its partnership job search page - search by putting ‘early years’ or ‘out of school childcare’ in the search bar
  • providers also advertise vacancies on the West Sussex Early Years and Childcare Training Facebook, so we suggest that you follow this page
  • the government offers a find an apprenticeship service - you can use the filters to refine your search
  • the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) hosts find a job, a nationwide site listing vacancies, including apprenticeships
  • practitioners who would like to develop in their current role, should speak to their manager about apprenticeships to discuss which one might be right for them

Getting an early years and childcare qualification before starting work

Some people prefer to get a qualification by completing a classroom-based course. They will need to find a training provider and make sure the qualification being offered is recognised as full and relevant. Options include:

  • Qualifications are entry level qualifications equivalent to GCSEs, for example, Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner. Level 2 qualifications should be viewed as the first step towards a full and relevant level 3 qualification.

    Learners will develop good skills and knowledge for working with babies and young children from birth to 7 years. They will complete a practical placement and once qualified can work directly with children in assistant roles and under supervision.

  • Qualifications are equivalent to A levels, for example, Diploma Early Years Educator or T level Education and Early Years: early education and childcare route.

    Practitioners holding this qualification can be early years practitioners, room leaders, deputy managers and managers. This makes level 3 qualifications the preferred qualification for many employers.

    They can use their skills and knowledge to improve practice. They should be able use their initiative, planning and organising their own work and supervising others.

T Level 3 college courses

The government are currently reviewing early years and childcare qualifications. The colleges in Sussex linked below are all currently offering T Level 3 in Education and Early Years (also called T Level 3 in Education and Childcare). There are no tuition fees to study a T Level if the learner starts the course before they are 19 years old.

There are other training providers that offer online or blended learning. You should ensure they offer work-based placements and avoid courses that offer a ‘knowledge only pathway’. Learners need to come away with a qualification that is recognised as full and relevant. Look for training providers that have an outstanding or good Ofsted rating, which should be stated on their website.

Getting a degree in early years and childcare

School leavers with A levels or individuals wishing to change their career, may want to consider a degree in early childhood studies. If the learner has not already got a full and relevant level 3 early years qualification, the degree must have an element of assessed practice in an early years and childcare setting. It needs to be recognised as full and relevant.

Anyone who has not previously worked in early years and childcare sector could volunteer in a setting. This will help learners make sure that a career in the sector is right for them before starting an early childhood studies degree.

National professional qualification in early years leadership

Current or aspiring leaders holding a full and relevant level 3 qualification with lots of experience could take an Early Years Leadership National Professional Qualification. The course takes 18 months to complete and involves approximately 2 hours of study each week. It is a mix of self-study and group sessions, and involves a written assessment and will enable you to:

  • establish and sustain your setting’s strategic direction
  • develop an evidence-based teaching culture
  • plan and deliver care and a high-quality curriculum to support child development
  • implement communication, language and literacy approaches to support children’s learning
  • effectively respond to children’s behaviour and support children’s personal, social and emotional development
  • ensure all leaders, practitioners and teachers can identify any additional needs early and ensure appropriate referrals
  • prioritise, allocate and manage resources appropriately, effectively and efficiently across all settings to ensure sustainability
  • adopt rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk, and plan and implement what has been learnt

To find out more, visit early years leadership national professional qualification on GOV.UK. If you are interested in this qualification, visit GLF West Sussex Teaching School Hub, the West Sussex provider for this programme.