Experience tells

There is no early years apprenticeship at Level 4. Since September 2014, Level 4 early years qualifications must meet the Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria to be considered full and relevant, and allow practitioners to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at Level 3.  To count in the ratios staff holding an EYE qualification must also have achieved suitable Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications.

Current qualifications

A small number of post-September 2014 Level 4 courses are considered full and relevant:

Crossfields Institute Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (EYE)

Cert HE in Montessori Early Childhood Practice

NCFE CACHE Level 4 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy – Birth to Seven (Early Years Educator)

Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care

Historic qualifications

A number of early education and childcare qualifications completed or started prior to September 2014 are considered full and relevant which means anyone holding one of these qualifications can count in the qualified ratio of staff at Level 3. A full list is available here. They include:

• A Certificate of Higher Education in early years, early childhood studies, childcare or playwork with an element of assessed performance in an early years setting.

• A Higher National Certificate in early years, early childhood studies, childcare or playwork with an element of assessed performance in an early years setting.

• A Level 4 NVQ in Playwork, Children's Care, Learning and Development, Early Years, Care and Education.
• A range of qualifications focusing on the Montessori and Steiner Waldorf approaches.

Health and social care qualifications are not considered to be full and relevant.

CPD qualifications

A number of Level 4 qualifications are aimed at Level 3-qualified staff, allowing them to specialise in specific areas. These include:

NCFE CACHE Level 4 Award In Special Educational Needs And Disability (SEND) Leadership And Management In The Early Years

NCFE CACHE Level 4 Award In Promoting Health And Well-Being Through Physical Activity And Nutrition Co-Ordination In The Early Years

NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate For The Early Years Advanced Practitioner

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