Consultation on the experience-based route for early years practitioners

In May 2024, the Foundation responded to the consultation on the experience-based route for early years practitioners.

Competent...practitioners who have gained early years qualifications and relevant experience overseas and for whom English is an Additional Language are part of the solution to the recruitment and retention issue that the Government is trying to solve through the experience-based route.

Recommendations include:

• The Department should consider recognising Level 2 ESOL and IELTS band scores 6/6.5 and above and including them in the list of suitable English qualifications.
• The Department should review the application process to make it more accessible.