Review of Level 3 Early Years qualification opens for feedback

The review of the Early Years Educator (EYE) qualification has today (05 July) opened for feedback from across the sector until 22 July.

Commissioned by the Department for Education and undertaken by the education charity and leader in vocational learning NCFE, the aim of the review is to improve quality, support practitioners, and address the impact of Covid-19 on the youngest children.

A range of groups are now being asked to contribute, including nursery staff, owners and managers, childminders, academics, local authorities, awarding organisations and training providers as part of one survey, as well as parents and carers as part of another.

To access the surveys, visit https://www.ncfe.org.uk/level-3-early-years-criteria-review

Julie Hyde, Director of External and Regulatory Affairs at NCFE, said:

“We want everyone to play their part in shaping the quality and consistency of early years education now and in the future.

“I hope that through this review we can bring the sector together to provide essential feedback that will support children’s social and emotional development and underpin a lifetime of learning.

“Only with the help of practitioners from across early years education, as well as parents and carers, can we ensure this review is meaningful and produces results that will make a real difference to so many.”

The review is being delivered with the support of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), the Educational Policy Institute (EPI) and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). It’s the first in early years at Level 3 since 2014 and is looking for feedback on how the EYE qualification, including the criteria underpinning this, could be improved.

Children and Families Minister, Will Quince, said:

“I’m pleased to be working with NCFE on the Level 3 Review: a key programme within our early years education recovery package, which is addressing the impact of the pandemic on the youngest children.

“The early years sector has worked incredibly hard to support families over the past few years and I want to continue working with them to improve the quality of qualifications. By engaging with groups across the sector, we aim to strengthen the quality of Level 3 qualifications and provide higher-quality training for early years educators.”

A webinar for Early Years professionals is being run in conjunction with PACEY and the Early Years Alliance on Wednesday, 13 July. It has been designed to provide further context around the review as well as early indicative findings.

To register your place visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JCdC7UhsRs-sUsjdYlScUA

To learn more about the review of the Early Years Educator qualification, and to provide feedback, visit https://www.ncfe.org.uk/level-3-early-years-criteria-review