Guidance
Early years qualifications list: UK only
UK qualifications that meet Department for Education (DfE) criteria for counting in the early years foundation stage statutory framework staff:child ratios.
Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualifications-achieved-in-england
Change description : 2025-10-09 09:30:00: We’ve updated the names of 6 qualifications in the ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’ to reflect their current titles. The updates are in row 76 of the ‘post Sept 2014’ tab and in rows 20, 51, 52, 57, and 75 of the ‘post Sept 2024’ tab. [Guidance and regulation]
Showing diff : 2025-08-26 08:31:20.367240663 +00:00..2025-10-09 08:34:11.413457541 +00:00
UK qualifications that meet Department for Education (DfE) criteria for counting in the early years foundation stage statutory framework staff:child ratios.
Early years managers can check an early years qualification using our new digital service, which:
The spreadsheet lists all UK qualifications that are approved by DfE as full and relevant. Holders of these qualifications can work within the staff:child ratios in early years settings in England.
When checking qualifications, you should use the course start date, rather than the course completion date. The course start date is essential, as it determines which DfE criteria the qualification aligns with.
Separate guidance is available for people with early years qualifications achieved outside the UK.
Contact the Ecctis early years service if you need further assistance after checking the spreadsheet.
We’ve updated the names of 6 qualifications in the 'Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist' to reflect their current titles. The updates are in row 76 of the ‘post Sept 2014’ tab and in rows 20, 51, 52, 57, and 75 of the ‘post Sept 2024’ tab.
Added 2 new qualifications – the level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship, and the early years lead practitioner apprenticeship. These are in rows 14 and 62 of the ‘F+R quals list post Sept 2024’ tab. Added related notes to row 13 of the same tab, and row 72 of the ‘post Sept 2014’ tab.
On tab 'F + R Quals list Post Sept 2024' changed the start dates of 2 qualifications from September to August 2025 and changed the name of T Level Education and Early Years (EYE occupational specialism) to T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (Early Years Educator Occupational Specialism).
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’. We have corrected an error in row 15 of the 'Full and relevant qualifications list post September 2024': the date the course was taught has been changed from November to September 2024 to reflect when the course was approved.
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’ to standardise the name of an awarding organisation, correct the date of a qualification, and add a newly-approved qualification.
Added link to new digital early years qualification checking service for early years managers.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list' with newly approved qualifications, and updated wording around qualification dates.
Updated 'Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list' with newly approved qualifications.
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.
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.
Updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' to add 'Early Years Educator (EYE) Level 3 Apprenticeship'.
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'.
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.
Added a link to 'Early years qualification requirements and standards', which you should refer to from 4 January 2024.
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
The 'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' was updated.
'Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list' and 'Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom' have been updated.
'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'.
'Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom' has been updated with information for 'Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish qualifications'.
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'.
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'.
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'.
We have updated the 'Early years qualifications achieved in England check list' spreadsheet.
First published.
2025-10-09 09:30
We’ve updated the names of 6 qualifications in the ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’ to reflect their current titles. The updates are in row 76 of the ‘post Sept 2014’ tab and in rows 20, 51, 52, 57, and 75 of the ‘post Sept 2024’ tab.
2025-08-26 09:30
Added 2 new qualifications – the level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship, and the early years lead practitioner apprenticeship. These are in rows 14 and 62 of the ‘F+R quals list post Sept 2024’ tab. Added related notes to row 13 of the same tab, and row 72 of the ‘post Sept 2014’ tab.
2025-07-25 09:30
On tab ‘F + R Quals list Post Sept 2024’ changed the start dates of 2 qualifications from September to August 2025 and changed the name of T Level Education and Early Years (EYE occupational specialism) to T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (Early Years Educator Occupational Specialism).
2025-07-02 09:30
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’. We have corrected an error in row 15 of the ‘Full and relevant qualifications list post September 2024’: the date the course was taught has been changed from November to September 2024 to reflect when the course was approved.
2025-05-08 09:30
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the UK: checklist’ to standardise the name of an awarding organisation, correct the date of a qualification, and add a newly-approved qualification.
2025-03-20 10:00
Added link to new digital early years qualification checking service for early years managers.
2025-03-18 16:48
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
2025-03-03 09:30
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.
2025-02-06 13:10
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.
2024-12-20 11:48
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.
2024-11-28 11:23
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.
2024-11-01 10:00
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.
2024-10-15 10:49
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list’ with newly approved qualifications, and updated wording around qualification dates.
2024-08-30 13:59
Updated ‘Early years qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom: check list’ with newly approved qualifications.
2024-08-05 11:56
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.
2024-05-16 09:00
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.
2024-03-01 13:20
Updated the ‘Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list’ to add ‘Early Years Educator (EYE) Level 3 Apprenticeship’.
2024-01-31 09:02
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’.
2024-01-25 10:53
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.
2023-12-08 13:22
Added a link to ‘Early years qualification requirements and standards’, which you should refer to from 4 January 2024.
2023-11-20 12:43
‘Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list’ was updated.
2023-06-22 09:18
‘Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list’ was updated.
2023-04-27 10:00
The ‘Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list’ was updated.
2022-12-21 13:20
‘Early years qualifications achieved in United Kingdom check list’ and ‘Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom’ have been updated.
2022-11-01 16:40
‘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’.
2022-09-05 10:00
‘Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom’ has been updated with information for ‘Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish qualifications’.
2022-06-16 13:38
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’.
2022-05-20 09:51
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’.
2022-05-10 10:33
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’.
2022-03-08 15:27
We have updated the ‘Early years qualifications achieved in England check list’ spreadsheet.