Analysis: Revised EYFS qualifications list to raise standards

29 October 2008, 12:00am

Changes in training levels among the early years workforce being brought in under the EYFS framework are explained by national development manager at the CWDC Pauline Jones.

Since September 2008, employers in settings delivering the EYFS are responsible for ensuring that their staff have the qualifications required by the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This sets out the requirements for staff:child ratios and the qualification levels practitioners must hold.

Practitioners working in settings delivering the EYFS and included in the ratio of qualified staff are required to hold 'full and relevant' qualifications as defined by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC).

So, what questions are being asked about how the landscape of qualifications is changing?

How do employers and practitioners know which qualifications are 'full and relevant'?

Until 31 August 2009 all qualifications on the Early Years and Playwork Database of Qualifications will continue to be defined as 'full and relevant' by CWDC. Settings delivering the EYFS and working within the Statutory Framework should continue to refer to this database at http://eypquals.cwdcouncil.org.uk/public to check that their setting is meeting the qualification requirements.

However, change is on its way and much work has been going on to provide greater clarity and to support employers in understanding the qualifications held by practitioners.

CWDC has reviewed over 300 early years, childcare and playwork qualifications. This has identified:

- introductory qualifications

- qualifications designed to support continuous professional development

- qualifications that are 'full and relevant' and enable practitioners to be included in the ratio of qualified staff.

CWDC has also reviewed the criteria that qualifications must meet in order to be deemed 'full and relevant' for registration and regulatory purposes. In future, two sets of criteria will be used to decide this.

The first set of criteria relates to the type of qualification, such as the depth and level of study required by the qualification and the way it is assessed. These criteria are mandatory. If a qualification does not meet these criteria, practitioners holding only this qualification will be required to undertake further training and assessment.

The second set of criteria relates to the content of the qualification. If a qualification meets the first set of criteria, but only some, or none, of the second set of criteria, practitioners holding only this qualification will be recommended to undertake further training and development in areas not covered by their current qualifications, for example, in respect of a particular age range or area of content.

What does this mean for practitioners?

For many there will be no implications, but some will have to undertake further training and assessment in order to be counted in the ratio of qualified staff in the future.

How will top-ups be achieved?

For qualifications that do not meet the criteria, the Qualifications List will identify training and assessment pathways that will enable practitioners holding only those qualifications to meet the criteria.

The pathways cover a range of qualifications from level 2 to level 6. They vary in length and type of qualifications to ensure every practitioner is able to undertake a route that is right for them, taking account of their previous qualifications, experience and aspirations for future progression.

CWDC expects that employers will work closely with their staff when carrying out their review of qualifications in the setting and that, as a result of this, some practitioners will be encouraged to look beyond the short-term goal of compliance, to consider the qualifications they will need to develop their careers in the longer term. However, training and assessment to meet mandatory criteria should be completed by September 2012.

How will employers know which qualifications to accept in future?

CWDC has developed the new Qualifications List for those delivering the EYFS. This is a tool to help employers check whether qualifications meet the new criteria, are deemed 'full and relevant' by CWDC, and will enable practitioners to be included in the ratio of qualified staff.

If a particular qualification has not met some, or all, of the criteria, the Qualifications List will identify for practitioners who only hold that particular qualification:

- further training and development required

- suitable qualifications to meet that requirement

- whether or not this training and development is mandatory, or just recommended.

The new Qualifications List will be available on the CWDC website from 1 November at http://qualificationslist.cwdcouncil.org.uk. This is to ensure that employers and practitioners can check well in advance whether qualifications will meet the requirements starting from 1 September 2009.

The new pages on the website will be user-friendly, with simple navigation tools and an improved search engine. CWDC has also set up a dedicated phone line to support anyone who is using the site, offering help in navigation and understanding information, on 0300 123 1033.

The Qualifications List will come into force from 1 September 2009, when it will replace the Early Years and Playwork Database of Qualifications. From that date, only qualifications on the new list will be acceptable to meet registration and regulatory requirements.

CWDC wants to ensure that local authorities, employers and practitioners have as much time as possible to understand the implications of these changes. This will enable them to plan training and development for practitioners whose qualifications will no longer be acceptable for registration and regulatory purposes, from September 2009.

CWDC will be sending detailed, tailored information to all local authorities, settings practitioners and Ofsted

November 2008 Until end August 2009
Early Years and Should be used to Should be used to
Playwork check that settings check that settings
Qualifications meet the statutory meet the statutory
Database requirements for requirements for
qualifications qualifications

Qualifications List Available online to Available online to
for those delivering assist local assist local authorities
the EYFS authorities and and employers to
employers to identify identify and plan to
and plan to meet meet training needs
from its introduction arising from its
introduction

September 2009

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Playwork
Qualifications
Database

Qualifications List Replaces Early Years
for those deliveraing and Playwork
the EYFS Qualifications Database.
Should be used to
check that settings
meet the statutory
requirements for
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