What Does ‘Full and Relevant’ mean in Early Years?
If you're looking for an Early Years qualification, you may have come across the phrase “full and relevant” – but what does it actually mean, and why is it so important?
Choosing the right qualification isn't simply about finding a course with “Level 3” in the title. If your goal is to work as a qualified practitioner in an Early Years setting in England, it is important to understand whether the qualification you choose meets the relevant Department for Education (DfE) requirements.
In this guide, we'll explain what full and relevant means, why it matters and what you should check before enrolling on an Early Years qualification.
What does ‘full and relevant’ mean?
In England, the Department for Education sets requirements around the qualifications staff must hold to be included in the staff:child ratios within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
The DfE provides a service that allows practitioners and managers to check whether a UK Early Years qualification is approved as full and relevant and whether the holder can count within staff:child ratios at Level 2, Level 3 or Level 6.
Put simply, when you're looking for an Early Years qualification, seeing “Level 3” doesn't necessarily tell you everything you need to know.
You need to make sure that the qualification you are considering is appropriate for the role you want to undertake and meets the relevant requirements.
Why does it matter?
Qualifications play an important role in determining how members of staff can be counted within an Early Years setting's staffing arrangements.
The EYFS sets standards that registered Early Years providers in England must follow, including requirements relating to staffing and qualifications.
For somebody hoping to become a qualified Early Years practitioner, choosing an appropriate qualification from the beginning can therefore be very important.
Imagine spending months completing a qualification only to discover afterwards that it doesn't meet the requirements you expected it to.
This is why we always encourage prospective learners to look beyond the qualification level and check exactly what they are enrolling on.
How can I check if a qualification is full and relevant?
The Department for Education provides an online Check an Early Years Qualification service.
When checking a qualification, you may need information including:
where the qualification was awarded
when the qualification was started
when it was awarded
the qualification level
the awarding organisation.
The DfE also explains that some qualifications have additional requirements that need to be met.
Check an Early Years Qualification – GOV.UK
This is a useful resource for both practitioners and Early Years managers.
What about the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification at New Beginnings?
At New Beginnings Online Learning College, we offer the:
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) – 610/4164/6
This qualification includes the knowledge and skills that meet the Department for Education Early Years Educator criteria in full and is designed to prepare learners to enter employment within an Early Years setting and be included in staff:child ratios, subject to the individual requirements that apply.
The qualification combines theoretical learning with practical experience. Learners are required to complete a minimum of 300 hours in a real work environment with children aged 0–5 years, meaning you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate what you've learned through your practice.
Are there any other requirements?
This is where it's important not to assume that simply holding a qualification automatically means every individual can be counted within ratios in every circumstance.
There can be additional requirements depending on the qualification, when it was started or achieved and the individual's circumstances. The DfE qualification-checking service identifies where additional requirements apply.
For example, the Level 3 Early Years Educator course information at New Beginnings explains that learners wishing to count within ratios at Level 3 must meet the applicable Level 2 English requirement.
This is another reason why checking your individual circumstances before enrolling is so important.
Does the date of my qualification matter?
Yes, it can.
Early Years qualification requirements have changed over time, which means the date a qualification was started can be important when determining whether it meets the relevant criteria.
The DfE specifically advises people checking UK qualifications to use the course start date, as this determines which DfE criteria the qualification aligns with.
This is particularly important if you have an older Early Years qualification and are trying to establish whether it allows you to count within ratios today.
What if my existing qualification isn't full and relevant?
It doesn't necessarily mean you cannot work in Early Years.
DfE guidance explains that someone whose qualification is not full and relevant can still work as an unqualified member of staff. There is also an experience-based route (EBR) for eligible Early Years practitioners, introduced in March 2025, which can allow suitable practitioners without an approved qualification to gain status to work within staff:child ratios at Level 3. Eligibility requirements apply to both the practitioner and the setting.
Alternatively, you may decide that completing a recognised full qualification is the right progression route for you.
Questions to ask before choosing an Early Years course
Before paying for an Early Years qualification, don't be afraid to ask the training provider questions.
Find out the full qualification title and qualification number, who the awarding organisation is, whether practical workplace experience is required, how observations are completed, what support is included and, crucially, whether the qualification meets the requirements relevant to the role you want to undertake.
A reputable provider should be happy to explain exactly what you're enrolling on.
Choosing your next step
Starting an Early Years qualification is a big commitment, so it's worth taking a little extra time to make sure you're choosing the right one.
If your goal is to become a qualified Early Years Educator, don't choose a course based on the words “Level 3” alone.
Check the qualification.
Check the requirements.
Ask questions.
And make sure the course you're investing your time and money in will help you reach the career goal you're working towards.
At New Beginnings Online Learning College, we're happy to talk through our Early Years qualifications and help prospective learners understand which course may be appropriate for their circumstances.
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