Updated qualifications guidance

[FSFRebecca]

The DfE have updated the EYFS qualification list today and have updated the pre-September 2014 spreadsheet with information about joint degrees and joint honours degrees. Hopefully you will find it helpful.

EYFS staff:child ratios - DfE approved qualifications. Lists of qualifications that meet the DfE criteria for counting in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework staff:child ratios.

[RaceFace03]

Quick question! 

 

If you are unqualified can you count in the ratio's. 

[FSFRebecca]

Yes, as long as the group meets the other criteria:

3.23. In group settings, the manager must hold at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification. The manager should have at least two years’ experience of working in an early years setting, or have at least two years’ other suitable experience. The provider must ensure there is a named deputy who, in their judgement, is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager’s absence. [Stat. Framework p21]

Staff:child ratios – all providers (including childminders)
3.28.Staffing arrangements must meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety. Providers must ensure that children are adequately supervised and decide how to deploy staff to ensure children’s needs are met. Providers must inform parents and/or carers about staff deployment, and, when relevant and practical, aim to involve them in these decisions. Children must usually be within sight and hearing of staff and always within sight or hearing.
3.29.Only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios (and staff under 17 should be supervised at all times). Students on long term placements and volunteers (aged 17 or over) and staff working as apprentices in early education (aged 16 or over) may be included in the ratios if the provider is satisfied that they are competent and responsible.
3.30.The ratio and qualification requirements below apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children. Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of children is maintained, changes to the ratios may be made. For group settings providing overnight care, the relevant ratios continue to apply and at least one member of staff must be awake at all times.
Early years providers (other than childminders)
3.31.For children aged under two:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every three children
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification, and must be suitably experienced in working with children under two
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification and at least half of all staff must have received training that specifically addresses the care of babies
• where there is an under two-year-olds’ room, the member of staff in charge of that room must, in the judgement of the provider, have suitable experience of working with under twos
3.32.For children aged two:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every four children
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification

3.33.For children aged three and over in registered early years provision where a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status or another suitable level 6 qualification is working directly with the children:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every 13 children
• at least one other member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification

3.34.For children aged three and over at any time in registered early years provision when a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status or another suitable level 6 qualification is not working directly with the children:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every eight children
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification

Hope that helps - I've included a link to the framework too 

[Helen_Cullum]

Hi, I have a question, hopefully some one will be able to help with.

In regards to the wording, I've read it as teaching / child care level 6. However, looking at it again it just says SUITABLE. So if my TA has a Masters degree with an educational focus (she went to other countries and looked at how their education systems worked etc) is that a 'suitable' qualification to be counted in ratios and have 1:13 / 1:8?

Thanks for any help! 

The ratios state:

3.35.For children aged three and over in independent schools (including in nursery classes in free schools and academies), where a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status or another suitable level 6 qualification, an instructor, or another suitably qualified overseas trained teacher, is working directly with the children:

[FSFRebecca]

Have you checked the list of suitable qualifications (first post in the thread) to see if hers is listed?