The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned NCFE to review the EYE Level 3 criteria and recommend revisions.
The consultation, which closes on 23 January, outlines proposals to reorganise the current criteria under new sub-headings and expand it to include greater detail, rather than remove anything.
Respondents are asked whether they believe any of the current criteria is unclear and the potential impact the changes could have
Proposed changes include:
- Expansion of the Level 3 criteria subheadings to mirror those in the Level 2 EYP criteria.
- The inclusion of SEND as a topic with a subheading within the criteria.
- A greater focus on the application of theoretical knowledge to practice.
- Updating terminology to specifically mention babies and children to ensure children of all ages are considered.
- Explicit inclusion of the emotional wellbeing of the child.
- A focus on the voice of the child and the role of the practitioner as an advocate of that voice.
- Specific mention of the learner’s expected roles and responsibilities in the workplace.
- Specific mention of inclusive practice and ensuring assessment and activities are appropriate and relate to a child’s interests, developmental stage, and needs.
- Updating safeguarding criteria and including greater detail in relation to health and safety responsibilities, specifically allergies, illness, and the application of medicine.
Early years consultant, author and trainer Penny Tassoni told Nursery World it’s ‘essential everyone in the early years contributes to the important consultation.’
She explained, ‘The EYE criteria underpins all level 3 qualifications used to count as full and relevant. It is essential that the criteria reflect the skills and knowledge needed in the sector. Everyone that is involved in early years needs to look at this before the 23rd January.’