Change description : 2025-03-18 16:48:00: Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’ with a newly approved qualification to be delivered from April 2025. Corrected an error in row 77 of the ‘Full and relevant qualifications list post September 2014’ worksheet: the level has been changed from 6 to 5 and the name from FdA Early Years Professional to FdA Early Years (Professional Practice).* Institution: University of Worcester [Guidance and regulation]
Lists of qualifications that meet DfE'sDepartment for Education (DfE) criteria for counting in the early years foundation stage framework staff:child ratios.
If you contacted the DfE early years workforce team before 5 September 2022, you do not need to contact Ecctis.
Updates to this page
Published 10 February 2022
Last updated 318 March 2025
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3 March 2025
Updated in line with minor clarification edits to the Early years qualification requirements and standards document that comes into force on 3 March. This includes bringing the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh qualifications currently reflected in that document over to the Early Years Qualifications List. Also added a newly-approved qualification to be delivered from September 2025.
6 February 2025
Updated to change the awarding organisation and qualification title of 4 qualifications, following a rebrand by the awarding organisation. The content of the qualifications remains the same.
20 December 2024
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list' to add three newly-approved qualifications, and make a minor amend to the name of another qualification.
28 November 2024
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' to add a newly-approved qualification, and correct the awarding organisation name of another qualification.
1 November 2024
Updated the list. We have added newly-approved qualifications to the post-September 2024 tab. We have also added an extra column to each tab to set out, for each individual qualification listed, which staff:child ratio the qualification holder can be included in.
15 October 2024
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list' with newly approved qualifications, and updated wording around qualification dates.
30 August 2024
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list' with newly approved qualifications.
5 August 2024
The 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated to include newly approved qualifications, as well as making some edits to awarding organisation names for consistency.
16 May 2024
Updated the ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom check list’ to add the tab ‘F + R Quals list post Sept 2024’, following the updates to the Level 3 Early Years Educator criteria effective from September 2024. For guidance on Tab 3, please see rows 16 to 18 of the 'guide for using this document' tab.
1 March 2024
Updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' to add 'Early Years Educator (EYE) Level 3 Apprenticeship'.
31 January 2024
Updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' to add one Level 5 Diploma offered by Training Qualifications United Kingdom to the tab 'Full and relevant qualifications list post 1 September 2014'.
25 January 2024
Updated the 'from' date for 'FdEd in Professional Practice in Early Years 0-8 (with EYE)' offered by University of Hull, listed in the after September 2014 tab, in the check list.
8 December 2023
Added a link to 'Early years qualification requirements and standards', which you should refer to from 4 January 2024.
20 November 2023
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
21 September 2023
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
22 June 2023
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
27 April 2023
The 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
21 December 2022
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' and 'Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom' have been updated.
1 November 2022
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' has been updated. Added degrees and honours degrees at level 6 offered by various awarding organisations and updated the 'notes/additional requirements' for 'BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies' offered by various awarding organisations in the tab 'Full and relevant qualifications list post 1 September 2014'.
5 September 2022
'Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom' has been updated with information for 'Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish qualifications'.
16 June 2022
Updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in England check list'. Added one Level 5 Diploma offered by Crossfields Institute to the tab 'Full and relevant qualifications list post 1 September 2014'.
20 May 2022
Updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in England check list'. Added 2 new foundation degrees offered by Kingston University to the tab 'Full and relevant qualifications list post 1 September 2014'.
10 May 2022
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in England check list' spreadsheet to add a new foundation degree in early childhood studies offered jointly by the University Centre Peterborough and the Open University to the tab 'Full and Relevant Qualifications achieved post 1 September 2014'.
8 March 2022
We have updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in England check list' spreadsheet.