Quick answer: In England the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the rules for who can work in a nursery. You can start as an unqualified assistant, but to count in staff-to-child ratios you need a full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, an enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check, and, for most Level 2 and 3 staff, a paediatric first aid certificate. Managers need a full and relevant Level 3, ideally with two years' experience, and managers appointed on or after 4 January 2024 need a Level 2 maths qualification or must gain one within two years. For how to get qualified, see our guide to what qualifications you need to work in a nursery.
What does each nursery role require?
The table below summarises the statutory requirements for group settings in England. It is a guide to the framework, not a substitute for it: always check the current EYFS statutory framework on gov.uk, because the Department for Education updates it most years.
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| Role | Minimum qualification to do the job | Counts in EYFS ratios? | Enhanced DBS (with barred list) | Paediatric first aid (PFA) | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery assistant or apprentice (unqualified) | None required by the EYFS | No, unless the manager uses the experience-based route | Enhanced DBS with barred list check, returned before starting work | Not required, but recommended | Induction, safeguarding training, supervision |
| Early years practitioner (Level 2) | Full and relevant Level 2, for example the Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner | Yes, at Level 2 | Yes | Yes, within three months of starting, if the qualification was gained on or after 30 June 2016 | Suitability checks, ongoing supervision |
| Early years educator (Level 3) | Full and relevant Level 3, for example an Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) (RQF) | Yes, at Level 3 | Yes | Yes, within three months of starting, if the qualification was gained on or after 30 June 2016 | Can be the named Level 3 in a room; needs a suitable Level 2 English qualification to count at Level 3; no GCSE maths needed since 2024 |
| Room leader or deputy manager | Full and relevant Level 3 (Level 4 or 5 desirable) | Yes, at Level 3 | Yes | Yes | Usually the designated safeguarding lead deputy or SENCO |
| Nursery manager | Full and relevant Level 3, ideally with at least two years' experience in an early years setting | Yes, at Level 3 | Yes | Yes | Level 2 maths if appointed on or after 4 January 2024 (or within two years); responsible for ensuring a PFA holder is always on the premises |
| Childminder | Level 2 or 3 recommended; no mandatory level, but must complete Ofsted or agency-approved training | Not applicable (childminder ratios apply) | Yes, for the childminder and every adult in the household aged 16 or over | Yes, a full PFA certificate before registration | Registration with Ofsted or a childminder agency |
Can you work in a nursery without qualifications?
Yes. The EYFS does not require a qualification to be employed in a nursery, and most settings recruit unqualified assistants and apprentices. What changes is whether you can be counted in ratio. Until you hold a full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3, the setting must staff the room as if you were not there, which is why employers push new assistants onto a qualification quickly. The fastest route for someone already in a setting is an online Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma studied alongside the job; see the Level 3 Early Years Educator course page for the placement and start rules.
Which qualifications count as full and relevant?
The Department for Education keeps a list of qualifications that meet the EYFS criteria at each level. If a qualification is not on it, the holder cannot be counted at that level however well regarded the course is. Common pitfalls are older childcare awards, overseas qualifications that have not been assessed, and Level 3 qualifications in related fields such as playwork or health and social care. Use our early years qualification checker to see how to check a specific title, and the levels 2 to 5 guide for what each level unlocks.
What DBS check do nursery staff need?
Every person who works directly with children in a registered early years setting needs an enhanced DBS check that includes a check of the children's barred list. The provider applies for it. New staff and volunteers must not start working or volunteering until their enhanced DBS check, including a barred list check, has come back. Many settings ask staff to join the DBS Update Service so the check can be carried forward to a new employer. Volunteers and students on placement need the same level of check. Our DBS and safeguarding guide explains the process and what a certificate shows.
Who needs paediatric first aid in a nursery?
The EYFS requires at least one person with a current full paediatric first aid certificate (12 hours, renewed every three years) to be on the premises at all times when children are present, and to accompany children on outings. In addition, anyone who completed a Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification on or after 30 June 2016 must gain a full PFA or emergency PFA certificate within three months of starting work to be counted in ratio. In practice most nurseries put every member of room staff through PFA. A full PFA certificate needs an assessed practical element. Our online first aid training is a CPD course covering the theory; it is not a paediatric first aid certificate.
What are the extra requirements for managers?
A nursery manager must hold a full and relevant Level 3 and should ideally have at least two years' experience in an early years setting or two years' other suitable experience. Since 4 January 2024, the Level 2 maths requirement that used to apply to every Level 3 educator applies to managers instead: managers appointed on or after that date must hold a suitable Level 2 maths qualification or achieve one within two years. Managers also carry the duty to make sure that the ratio, DBS and first aid rules above are met every day, and are usually the designated safeguarding lead.
How do ratios fit in?
Qualification level decides who can be counted, and the age of the children decides how many adults are needed. For under-twos the ratio is 1:3, for two-year-olds 1:5, and for three- and four-year-olds 1:8 (or 1:13 with a Level 6 qualified teacher working directly with the children). The full tables, including the 2023 changes and the childminder rules, are in our EYFS ratios and qualification requirements guide.
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