Ratios and qualifications

[anju]

Hello,

Can someone 'working towards' either a level 2 or level 3 qualification count in the '50% of other staff' requirement?

I can't find anything definitive about it.

Thank you

[Helen]

Hi Anju,

The statutory framework states that one member of staff must hold at least a level 3 and that 50% of your other staff must have at least level 2. So, no, they can't be working towards that level 2; they must have achieved it. Page 29 of the statutory document.

[anju]

Thanks Helen - I had thought I remembered something about ‘working towards’ but it was from many years ago. 

[Helen]

You're welcome! Are you, like many others, finding it hard to recruit qualified practitioners?

[anju]

Yes! It’s hard to recruit anyone vaguely suitable, and even harder to find anyone qualified.

Edited February 15, 2023 by anju

[Helen]

Such a difficult situation- after all the good things that were put in place- graduate fund, EYPS, Foundation Degrees, all excellent at attracting and keeping high quality staff. But the stress of the work and generally poor pay has ultimately led to us losing many, many wonderful early years teachers and practitioners.

[anju]

Yes, quite depressing and demoralising 

[cath_stokes]

Hi

 

This is so confusing as it states that you can count them in this paragraph, can anyone advise? Thankyou

3.30.Only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios if they are suitable, as in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.11 (and staff under 17 should be supervised at all times). Suitable 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.

[Mouseketeer]

On 15/06/2023 at 10:39, cath_stokes said:

Hi

 

This is so confusing as it states that you can count them in this paragraph, can anyone advise? Thankyou

3.30.Only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios if they are suitable, as in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.11 (and staff under 17 should be supervised at all times). Suitable 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.

Hi cath and welcome to the forum.

I understand that paragraph to mean you can count them in your ratio as unqualified, providing you have the qualified element in place, so they can’t be part of the 50% must have.

for the first time in my 30+ years I am struggling to recruit, as a small team with an unqualified already we have no wriggle room for anyone else unqualified, not that I’d want another unqualified, I think one at a time for us is doable.

[anju]

On 16/06/2023 at 18:03, Mouseketeer said:

Hi cath and welcome to the forum.

I understand that paragraph to mean you can count them in your ratio as unqualified, providing you have the qualified element in place, so they can’t be part of the 50% must have.

for the first time in my 30+ years I am struggling to recruit, as a small team with an unqualified already we have no wriggle room for anyone else unqualified, not that I’d want another unqualified, I think one at a time for us is doable.

Yes I think the same Cath. It’s such a problem finding staff now, especially qualified ones 😞 

[anju]

Sorry, I mean I agree with you Mouseketeer