Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Early Years Qualifications

28 January 2025 · Department for Education

Proposed by Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South

Children & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government is expanding funded childcare to 30 hours per week from September 2025.
  • A new Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is being introduced to enhance workforce standards.
  • A digital service will be launched to check the approval status of early years qualifications.

Issue summary

The statement discusses the rollout of government-funded childcare expansion and reforms for early years education qualifications.

Action requested

The government is expanding funded childcare to 30 hours per week from September 2025, introducing a new Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship, an experience-based route for early years staff, and launching a digital service to check the approval status of early years qualifications. These measures aim to improve workforce standards and support child development.

Key facts

  • The childcare expansion will provide 15 hours per week from September 2024, increasing to 30 hours in September 2025.
  • A new Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is being introduced throughout England as a three-year course without student debt.
  • An experience-based route for early years staff will be available from March 3, 2025, requiring assessors and supervisors to have at least two years of relevant experience.
  • The Check an Early Years Qualification digital service will be launched on GOV.UK later in Spring.
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