Written Question·Department for Education·UIN 181921

Pre-school Education: Qualifications

Tabled: 20 April 2023
Answered: 2 May 2023

Question

Mrs Sharon Hodgson

LabourWashington and Gateshead South

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has undertaken a recent review of the early years practitioner (level 2): qualifications criteria.

Answer

Claire Coutinho

The early years practitioner (level 2) qualifications criteria were updated in 2018, and came into effect on 1 September 2019. The updates to the criteria were consulted on and following feedback from the consultation, the title of early years practitioner (level 2) was introduced to recognise the skill and knowledge of level 2 members of staff.

As part of the recent review of the early years educator (level 3) qualifications criteria, the department has improved the alignment between the two criteria, to improve progression from level 2 to level 3.