Resources for childcare providers and practitioners working in Early Years settings
Do Something Big
GOV UK is running an Early Years Careers campaign to assist with recruitment and advertising.
Pathway into Early Years education
Department for Education (DfE) has worked with an expert reference group to develop an early years careers progression map. It is a tool for staff to plan their careers and for those interested in working with children.
Other recruitment resources
- Childcare Workforce Recruitment and Retention: Advice for Early Years and Childcare Providers - In this paper, Childcare Works shares links to Government support for schools, PVI and childminding settings, and reports on social enterprise Timewise Childcare Pioneers’ project to explore the benefits of improvements to flexible working and overcoming barriers to change.
- First Five Years Count - A suite of resources from the NDNA on early years careers
- Supporting safer recruitment in the early years and education sector - The DBS 'Making Recruitment Safer' campaign promotes the support available from our Regional Outreach service
- Recruiting and managing early years staff - A guide from the Early Years Alliance
- PACEY and MITEY (men in the early years) podcasts - Spotlight on Men In The Early Years (MITEY)
Checking qualifications
- Check early years qualifications (GOV.UK) - Find out if a person’s qualifications allow them to work in an early years setting, and if you can include them in staff: child ratios
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This free GOV.UK tool allows managers to check a qualification’s approval status by entering key details such as:
- course start date
- level
- awarding organisation
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At the end of the process, a clear outcome is provided, which can be printed for your records.
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Why use the new service?
Using the new Check an early years qualification service:
- saves time during recruitment and HR processes
- supports workforce planning ahead of the September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements
- reduces confusion when checking qualifications
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The service is tailored specifically for early years managers. All other user groups (for example, practitioners) should continue to use the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) to check qualifications, and contact our supplier, Ecctis if they are unable to find the qualification on the EYQL.
The Check is an early years qualification service that is for qualifications achieved in the UK. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact our supplier Ecctis for an assessment.
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- Guide to checking qualifications (PDF) - Handy hints and tips for providers who need to check practitioners' qualifications
Staff wellbeing
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Early years staff wellbeing: a resource for managers and teams | Anna Freud - Early years staff wellbeing needs to lie at the heart of nursery settings. The resource identifies four key areas that could make a difference to the wellbeing of nursery and preschool staff: Supporting each other; Supportive management; The physical environment; Outside support
- Practitioner wellbeing in the early years | Anna Freud - This wellbeing workbook for early years practitioners supports early years settings better understand their staff and provide them with the support they need
- Supporting staff wellbeing in early years settings. - A video guide from the Anna Freud Centre
- Happy staff, happy setting - Sonia Mainstone-Cotton, early years nurture and wellbeing trainer and early years consultant, explains how you and your staff can take care of your own wellbeing
- Gov UK Help for providers- Wellbeing support - Early years practitioner wellbeing support from gov.uk help for providers
- Early Years staff wellbeing; a resource for managers and teams. - A resource from the Anna Freud Centre
- Talking Toolkit - Education - A guide to starting conversations with staff about mental health and wellbeing at work from the HSE
Supervision of staff
The Early Years Foundation Stage states that:
"Providers must put appropriate arrangements in place for the supervision of staff who have contact with children and families. Effective supervision provides support, coaching, and training for the practitioner and promotes the interests of children. Supervision should foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork, and continuous improvement, which encourages the confidential discussion of sensitive issues." (EYFS 3.27)
- Journey to Excellence – Development Plan | Oldham Council - Oldham audit tool written to support continuous quality improvement and to support discussion at inspection.
Improving your knowledge and skills
- Skills Bootcamps from the DfE - Whether you are looking for a better job or wanting to advance in your current profession, a Skills Bootcamp can be a great way to boost your prospects
- Guide to Effective Professional Development in the Early Years. - A guide for leaders, managers and practitioners on developing and using effective CPD in the early years
- Early years child development training - GOV.UK Free DfE online training in child development
- Early years education recovery programme: supporting the sector - GOV.UK Information about workforce training, qualifications and support and guidance for the early years sector to help address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children
- Early Years Workforce Resources - Early Years Workforce resources developed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Qualifications
- Education & Early Years BA (Hons) | University Campus Oldham - Degree qualification for young people and adult learners
- Early Years | Oldham College - Childcare qualifications for young people and adult learners
- Lifelong learning | Oldham Council - Childcare courses for and functional skills courses for adults
- Gov UK guidance free courses for jobs - Explains how to apply for a free level 3 qualification. These courses could help you improve your wage outcomes and job prospects, and gain skills that employers value
- Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)