Now approved: new early years educator provision 

We’re pleased to announce that in September 2024, we’ll have an updated suite of early years educator (EYE) qualifications, ranging from Levels 3 to 5, that meet the new Department for Education (DfE) EYE criteria that will come into effect from 1 September 2024. The DfE has approved all of the qualifications that we submitted, and we’ll publish draft qualification specifications as soon as possible. Read the information below for further details, or watch our recorded webinar.  

The background 

Following changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, we made the relevant updates to our portfolio of EYE qualifications. We submitted six in total, including Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner, Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Montessori Pedagogy and Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Early Years Educator. 

What will change?  

Due to the expansion of the EYE criteria, a number of qualifications have been updated, meaning their equivalent current qualifications have been withdrawn, as the qualification reference numbers needed to change. Some qualifications are also being withdrawn due to funding being removed for these qualifications for 16-19 year olds. 

Please see the below tables for further details around the launch of the new qualifications and the last available registration dates for learners for any qualifications and unit programmes that will be being withdrawn. Withdrawn qualifications and unit programmes will no longer be available for registrations after their operational end date and certificates will not be issued after the certification end date.  

For qualifications with an external assessment (601/3999/7, 601/8436/X, 601/4000/8, 601/8437/1), any assessment opportunities will continue to be scheduled for a minimum of two academic years i.e. until summer 2026, in line with typical delivery models. Decisions on the number, and specific scheduling, of final external assessment opportunities will be communicated and highlighted in the external assessment timetable for 2025-27, which will be published in or around July 2025. 

Qualifications that have been updated to meet the new EYE criteria: 

Qualifications that are not being withdrawn, but their 16-19 funding will be removed:

Qualifications that are unaffected by the changes: 

Unit programmes that will cease to be available as standalone: 

Further support 

Watch our recorded webinar for more information on the changing education and early years landscape.