The requirements for students starting Level 3 Early Years Educator courses to have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above has now been removed just before the new funding year begins on 1 August.
The decision has been made to remove this stipulation just before the new funding begins, this now brings standalone course (non-apprenticeships) for students aged 19 and over in line with Level 3 apprenticeships.
A large amount of professionals from the early years sector recognised that enforcing students to have GCSE English and Maths at grade C was causing difficulties in recruiting qualified staff, it has left half of nurseries struggling to find the right candidate with the right qualification for their setting and that half of qualified level three and level two practitioners did not have GCSE maths and English at grade C or above.
The Skills Funding Agency said, ’We have removed the funding rule that learners must have GCSE English and maths grade C or above before enrolling on any Early Years Educator qualification through grant funding or through a loan. We have taken this action following the announcement that English and maths GCSEs at grade C or above will become an exit requirement for childcare apprentices rather than an entry requirement.
As there is now no exit requirement on standalone Early Year Educator qualifications, it is down to Early Years providers to support learners who need to achieve English and Maths GCSEs at grade C or above alongside the qualification in order to gain employment.
This latest change means that the GCSE requirements has been removed, however for 16-19 years olds (work or college-based) those students who do not have English and maths GCSEs at grade C or above will need to study them alongside their childcare course in order to get funding and be counted in ratios at level 3
Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years said, ‘We are delighted the DFE has taken time to understand the challenges the GCSE requirements have presented for settings looking to recruit staff and for practitioners keen to progress their early years career. This development is welcome news. It strikes the right balance between ensuring the high standards children deserve and supporting individuals to enter the profession or, for many already in childcare, to progress beyond Level 2.
hi imlevel 2 and want to dolevel 3 do i have to do functional skills can i do this in my setting or do i have to go college also how long does these courses take im54 been in nursery nursing since 2004
Hi it will depend if you have GCSE C or above in Maths and English as you will need to obtain these first at a college or do them long side your level 3. Enquire with your setting to see if there are training providers in your area that come into your setting instead of you having to attend a college.
Hi I have just qualified At level 2 nursery nurse I’m 31 and was told I need to do Functional skills And the. My GCSE maths and English but h
As I need to work this is a struggle. After reading this. Is it telling me I don’t need to do that know and I can just go straight on to do my level 3 ? Thank you
For you to count in ratio in an early years settings, you will have to do your GSCE’s in Maths and English, you can do this alongside your level 3 course.
Hi I’m wanting to do my BTEC level 3 National Diploma in Children’s play, learning and development but they refused on the grounds I got a D in English. Does this mean I can do it, just not be counted?
According to the DFE they are saying to count in ratios you will need to gain a C or above in English and Maths GSCE. Your course provider may advise you to to your GSCE along side your level 3 course.
Hi, sorry but I’m confused, I am 31, have a level 2 in early years but needed to retake GCSE Maths and English as I only got a grade D to continue on to my level 3, which I would need a student loan for. Do I still need to retake my GCSEs to do my level 3?
By reading what the DFE are saying is that you can start your level 3 course but must also do your GSCE alongside in order to count in the EYFS ratios.
hi imlevel 2 and want to dolevel 3 do i have to do functional skills can i do this in my setting or do i have to go college also how long does these courses take im54 been in nursery nursing since 2004
Hi it will depend if you have GCSE C or above in Maths and English as you will need to obtain these first at a college or do them long side your level 3. Enquire with your setting to see if there are training providers in your area that come into your setting instead of you having to attend a college.
Hi I have just qualified At level 2 nursery nurse I’m 31 and was told I need to do Functional skills And the. My GCSE maths and English but h
As I need to work this is a struggle. After reading this. Is it telling me I don’t need to do that know and I can just go straight on to do my level 3 ? Thank you
Hi Natalie
For you to count in ratio in an early years settings, you will have to do your GSCE’s in Maths and English, you can do this alongside your level 3 course.
Hi I’m wanting to do my BTEC level 3 National Diploma in Children’s play, learning and development but they refused on the grounds I got a D in English. Does this mean I can do it, just not be counted?
Hi Laura
According to the DFE they are saying to count in ratios you will need to gain a C or above in English and Maths GSCE. Your course provider may advise you to to your GSCE along side your level 3 course.
Hi, sorry but I’m confused, I am 31, have a level 2 in early years but needed to retake GCSE Maths and English as I only got a grade D to continue on to my level 3, which I would need a student loan for. Do I still need to retake my GCSEs to do my level 3?
Hi Lisa
By reading what the DFE are saying is that you can start your level 3 course but must also do your GSCE alongside in order to count in the EYFS ratios.
Students just need to be able to write neatly, grammatically correctly and speak properly. They’re things we struggle with.
Dose this mean that people over 19 doing early years educator course do not have to do gcse also .thanks .sally
By reading the DFE they are saying to count in EYFS ratios, students must do their GSCE’S along their level 3 course.