All early years providers working with children from birth to 5 years old must follow the regulations set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Required Qualifications

Providers must make sure staff have approved level qualifications to count in the ratio, including for all level 2 and 3 staff members hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate.

Full and relevant qualifications meet all of the Early Years Practitioner (level 2) or Early Years Educator (level 3) criteria, as well as EYTS, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and EYPS, and therefore recognised as full and relevant.

Click here to Check the early years qualifications checker

Checking Level 2 to 6 Qualifications for staff: child ratios

The Department of Education defines the qualifications that staff must hold to count in the EYFS staff-to-child ratios. It is the early years provider's responsibility when recruiting early years practitioners that they check the Department of Education qualification checker list to ensure that person's qualification meets the full and relevant criteria.

From January 2024, level 3 practitioners in group and school-based settings will no longer be required to hold a level 2 maths qualification to count within staff: child ratios but must require holding a suitable level 2 English qualification.

Early Years qualification requirements and standards

Paediatric First Aid (PFA)

In addition to obtaining a Level 2 or above full and relevant qualification, to be included as part of the staff to child ratios, within a group and school-based setting all staff must also hold a valid PFA qualification that meet Ofsted, EYFS and HSE requirements which is then renewed every 3 years. You can book a place on essential PFA training from the Buckinghamshire Council Early Years Training Hub.

Overseas qualifications

Find out how to check overseas qualifications to count in the ratios at level 3 with comparable GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above.

Please see the Ecctis Service Guidance document for overseas qualifications.

Working at level 6 within the staff: child ratios

To be included in the staff: child ratios at level 6, staff must hold one of the following or another approved level 6 qualification:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)
• Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

Setting Managers

Setting managers in group and school-based settings appointed on or after 4 January 2024 must hold a level 2 maths qualification, or they achieve one within 2 years of starting in the position.