The EYFS statutory framework sets out the requirements for staff:child ratios in settings delivering the EYFS and the qualification levels practitioners must hold to be included within those requirements.
To be included in the staff:child ratios at level 2, level 3 or level 6, staff must hold a qualification that is recognised by the Department for Education as full and relevant at the appropriate level. Any individual that does not hold a full and relevant qualification can only work as an unqualified member of staff in an early years setting and therefore cannot count in the staff:child ratios.
‘Full and relevant’ means a qualification that meets 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, are recognised as full and relevant by the Department for Education. Holders of a full and relevant qualification can be included in the staff:child ratios at the level appropriate to the relevant criteria.
Providers must refer to the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) to determine if a qualification is recognised by the Department for Education as full and relevant and therefore allows the holder to be included within the staff:child ratios.
The DfE guidance outlines the minimum qualification requirements that staff must meet to work within the staff:child ratios. However, employers may set their own higher qualification requirements if they wish. If doing so, employers must ensure that staff holding higher-level qualifications still meet all requirements necessary to be included in the staff:child ratios.
Providers must refer to the EYFS statutory framework for any additional requirements that staff must meet to be included in the staff:child ratios (for example, Paediatric First Aid training).
The guidance contains information on qualifications achieved in the UK and also on qualifications achieved outside of the UK. There is also information on the requirement of staff to hold English and Maths qualification to be included in some staff:child ratios.
The new DfE guidance is effective from 4th January 2024.
The full guidance can be found here: Early years qualification requirements and standards (publishing.service.gov.uk)