Qualification Levels: Part 4 - Into the light

In the early years sector, Level 4 has tended to stay out of the spotlight. A Level 5 apprenticeship joined existing apprenticeships at Level 2 and 3 in August, but there are no current plans to develop an apprenticeship at Level 4. ‘Traditionally a Level 5 qualification is management level, so that’s why the Level 5 apprenticeship has been developed as opposed to a Level 4,’ explains Julie Hyde, director of external and regulatory affairs at awarding body NCFE Cache.

‘Level 4 is a bit of a Cinderella qualification,’ says Jill Taplin, course co-ordinator for the North of England Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies Programme. Since September 2014, Level 4 early years qualifications must meet the Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria if staff are to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at Level 3. There are only a handful of ‘full and relevant’ qualifications at this level, including qualifications in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood studies and Montessori early childhood practice and pedagogy. To count in the ratios, staff holding an EYE qualification must also have achieved suitable Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications.