What is the early years qualification checker?
The early years qualification checker is a free Department for Education search tool on gov.uk. It tells you whether a qualification is full and relevant at Level 2, Level 3 or Level 6, and whether any extra conditions apply.
What does "full and relevant" mean?
The EYFS statutory framework uses "full and relevant" to describe qualifications that the Department for Education has approved as covering enough early years knowledge, child development and practice to be counted at a given level. "Full" means the whole qualification was completed, not a unit or a short award. "Relevant" means its content meets the DfE criteria for Level 2, Level 3 or Level 6 early years work. A qualification can be regulated by Ofqual, sit at the right level and still not be full and relevant if it was never approved for the list.
How do you check an early years qualification?
| Step | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find the exact qualification title and awarding body on your certificate | Your certificate or the Ofqual register |
| 2 | Search the DfE early years qualification checker | gov.uk, "Check an early years qualification" |
| 3 | Match the title, level and the date you started the qualification | Some qualifications are only full and relevant for certain start dates |
| 4 | Read the notes on the results page, including any extra requirements | Checker results page |
| 5 | If nothing matches, search the Early Years Qualifications List by awarding body | gov.uk publications |
| 6 | Still not found: the qualification is not full and relevant; see the options below | This page |
The checker covers qualifications awarded in England. Qualifications from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and overseas qualifications, follow a separate route explained below.
Which qualifications are full and relevant at each level?
| Level | Examples that count | Examples that do not count | Ratio status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner; Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship | Level 2 early years certificates and awards; most "free online" certificates | Counts as a Level 2 member of staff |
| Level 3 | Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (for example from TQUK or NCFE CACHE); Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship; T Level in Education and Early Years | Level 3 Award or Certificate in childcare; Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning (a school qualification); Level 3 Health and Social Care | Counts as a Level 3 member of staff and can lead a ratio group |
| Level 4 to 5 | Foundation degrees and HNDs in early years, where the list includes them | Generic education or management qualifications | Counted at the level the list gives them |
| Level 6 | Early Years Teacher Status, Qualified Teacher Status, listed early years degrees | Degrees without early years content | Allows the 1:13 ratio for children aged three and over |
Lift College's Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Care and Education (Early Years Educator), awarded by TQUK (qualification number 610/3598/1), is listed by the DfE as full and relevant at Level 3. See the Level 3 Early Years Educator course page for what it covers.
Why does full and relevant matter for ratios?
Under the EYFS, each ratio group needs at least one member of staff with a full and relevant Level 3, and at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant Level 2. Managers must hold an approved (full and relevant) qualification at Level 3 or above, and should have at least two years' experience in an early years setting or two years' other suitable experience. The full age-by-age table is in our EYFS ratios and qualification requirements guide. Staff with unlisted qualifications can still work in the setting, but they are counted as unqualified in the ratio unless the manager uses the experience-based route below.
What if your qualification is not full and relevant?
| Situation | Route |
|---|---|
| Qualification is close but missing a unit | Ask the awarding body about a top-up; some older qualifications have a listed bridging award |
| Qualification is from before 2014 | Search the list by start date; many older qualifications remain full and relevant |
| Qualification is from outside England | Apply to UK ENIC for an early years statement of comparability |
| Experienced but without a full and relevant Level 3 | Since 2025, managers can choose to count a member of staff at Level 3 through the DfE experience-based route (a Level 2 or an unlisted Level 3, plus a period of supervised practice and a manager's sign-off). It is optional, it is not a qualification, and it does not transfer to another setting |
| No qualification yet | Enrol on a listed Level 3; you count as unqualified until you complete it |
Do you need maths and English to be full and relevant?
Since 4 January 2024, Level 3 staff no longer need a Level 2 maths qualification to count in ratios. They still need a suitable Level 2 English qualification, such as GCSE English at grade 4 (or C) or above or Functional Skills English Level 2; without it, they can only be counted at Level 2. Setting managers appointed on or after 4 January 2024 must hold a suitable Level 2 maths qualification or achieve one within two years of starting in the post. Lift College's Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma is open to learners aged 16 or over, with a free 7-day trial and nothing charged until day 8.
Your next step
Start the Level 3 Early Years Educator course free for 7 days
Training Qualifications UK, Ofqual regulated · From £89.99/month · £0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Level 3 childcare qualification full and relevant?
Can I work in a nursery without a full and relevant qualification?
What is the early years qualification checker?
Does an overseas childcare qualification count in England?
Is Level 3 Health and Social Care full and relevant for early years?
Sources checked
- Department for Education, Check an early years qualification, gov.uk
- Department for Education, Early years qualifications list, gov.uk
- Department for Education, Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, gov.uk
- Department for Education, Experience-based route, guidance for providers, gov.uk
- UK ENIC, Early years statements of comparability