Nursery World - Huge slump in student numbers for EYE Level 3 courses

The number of people starting childcare courses has dropped
drastically since the new Early Years Educator qualification came in,
trainers have said.

Training providers have reported drops of 80 per cent in applications for apprenticeships and 50 per cent for work-based EYE courses, which require a minimum grade C English and maths on entry, since September.

Recruitment agencies, which have long reported a dearth of quality childcare applicants, are also reporting a GSCE 'ripple effect' with employers ramping up demands about existing Level 3 candidates' GCSE qualifications, despite the more stringent GCSE rules applying only to new starters.

Lisa Bell, head of early years at Brockenhurst College, said that the number of people enrolled on new Level 3 CPLD (EYE) courses had dropped by half this September.

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