麻花影视expresses concern over early years educator entry requirements

25th February 2014

The Pre-school Learning 麻花影视has criticised the government鈥檚 decision not to accept functional skills as equivalents to GCSEs in the entry requirements for early years educator (EYE) qualifications.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) today confirmed that, as of September 2014, all Skills Funding Agency-funded EYE training courses will require entrants to hold GCSEs in mathematics and English at grade C or above.

Commenting on the announcement, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, said:

鈥淲hile it is of course vital to ensure that all early years practitioners have a good level of literacy and numeracy, the government鈥檚 refusal to recognise functional skills qualifications as valid equivalents to GCSEs is extremely short-sighted. Such a move is likely to deter many prospective applicants who have the skills, passion and knowledge needed to be excellent early years practitioners from pursuing careers in the sector, simply because they do not meet a set of very narrow criteria.鈥

鈥淚t鈥檚 worth noting that in her Foundations for Quality report, Professor Cathy Nutbrown recommended that Level 2 - not GCSE 鈥 English and mathematics should be entry requirements to Level 3 early years courses, and advised that the NCTL should 鈥榯ake views on whether GCSEs should be the minimum requirement, or whether other Level 2 qualifications should be accepted to demonstrate literacy and mathematical skills鈥.

鈥淯nsurprisingly, the sector was never actually consulted on this. Many of those who responded to the government consultation on the proposed EYE qualification criteria raised concerns about these entry requirements in their responses, but these were dismissed for being 鈥榦ut of the scope鈥 of the consultation.鈥

Neil also criticised the government鈥檚 decision to introduce the changes with no transitional or preparatory phase.

鈥淕iven that it is not possible for trainees to study for the required GCSEs while undertaking an EYE qualification, it鈥檚 disappointing that the NCTL has chosen to make this announcement a mere six months before it intends to implement these changes. These plans could have a seriously destabilising impact on the sector so it is deeply concerning that the government has seen fit to rush ahead with them without fully considering the likely consequences.鈥

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Notes for editors

  2. The Pre-school Learning 麻花影视is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  3. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the 麻花影视supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The 麻花影视also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  4. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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