Early years qualification requirements and standards
The qualifications that staff must hold to be included in the specified staff:child ratios at levels 2, 3 and 6 of the early years foundation stage (EYFS).
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The requirements in this document came into force on 4 January 2024 and are in response to the Early years foundation stage (EYFS): regulatory changes consultation.
Early years qualification requirements and standards 2025
We published an updated version of this document in February 2025.
This does not yet represent the law, until the related statutory instrument comes into force, expected on 3 March 2025. This document is subject to change until that date.
Updates to this page
Published 8 December 2023Last updated 10 February 2025 + show all updates
-
Published an update to 'Early years qualification requirements and standards' to come into force 3 March 2025 subject to parliamentary procedure. This update allows for the introduction of the experience-based route for early years. It also clarifies the qualification requirements for staff counting in the level 6 staff:child ratios in early years settings and references to the early years qualifications list.
-
'Early years qualification requirements and standards' updated to reflect the Early Years Educator level 3 criteria from September 2024.
-
First published.