Qualifications and training

Qualifications and training

"A well-qualified and properly skilled workforce makes a real difference to the quality of support that expectant parents and families with young children receive." (Supporting Families in the Foundation Years Cross-Governmental Policy Statement, 2011)

The importance of a well qualified and highly skilled workforce is fundamental to providing the very best support and guidance for children and young people.

Research and government policy underline the importance of qualifications, training and professional development in ensuring that childrens experience of early years services is positive and beneficial.

There are different levels of qualifications suitable for every stage of your career or professional development.

Below is a brief summary of some of the key qualifications currently available to those considering a career or already working in early years.

Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young Peoples workforce

The new QCF Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young Peoples workforce are qualifications that confer occupational competence for practitioners working with children and young people. Gaining one of these qualifications means you can count in the OFSTED headcount for staff qualified to supervise children as explained below.

The level 2 Certificate is for those who are working under supervision such as a nursery assistant or playgroup assistant working with children under five, or an assistant playworker in an out-of-school setting.

The level 3 Diploma is for practitoners or managers who have a role leading a setting,  planning and organising their own work and supervising others, for example, a senior nursery worker, playgroup leader, senior playworker or a childminder working on their own at home.

Foundation Degrees (level 5)

Foundation degrees focus on a particular job or profession combining academic study with work place learning. There are a number of Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees for the early years workforce, which means they have been assessed as meeting the requirements of the children and young people's workforce and reflecting employer needs. They offer a good progression route from the Level 3 Diploma and to Early Years Professional Status.

Early Years Professional Status - EYPS (level 6)

Introduced in 2007, EYPS is increasingly established as the gold standard for skilled graduate level practitioners, leading practice within an early years setting. EYPS is a professional status (not a qualification) where candidates have to demonstrate their skills and knowledge across 39 standards.

New Leaders in Early Years

New Leaders in Early Years is a three year pilot seeking to attract top graduates to work and become strategic and practice leaders in the early years sector. Candidates undertaking new leaders gain a masters qualification and EYPS as part of their training.

Experience

As well as appropriate qualifications, experience is highly valued by employers and is essential for most paid positions. For example, it is essential that managers have experience in an early years setting or have other suitable experience. Volunteering is a valuable way of gaining some experience and insight into working in early years. Most accredited training includes placements and other opportunities for gaining experience.