The BTEC National in Children's Play, Learning and Development (CPLD) is significant in that it was developed in collaboration with early years employers and organisations in the sector.
It has the backing of large nursery groups, as well as early years organisations.
The new BTECs come in five sizes, ranging from 180 guided learning hours to a full-time two-year diploma of 1,080 guided learning hours. Four of them have been accredited and the diploma is expected to be approved shortly by Ofqual.
The aim is to attract a wide range of learners, from those who might want to try out an early years qualification, for example as equivalent to an A/S Level or an A Level, to those who want to go on to the two-year diploma.
The certificate and the diploma both include 800 hours on work placement. The diploma is the certificate, plus optional units and a mandatory research unit.
The new BTEC focuses on young children up to the age of seven, and the importance of understanding development and supporting play is at the core of the qualification.
Mary James, senior business manager for BTEC at Edexcel, said, 'We asked Penny Tassoni to draw on her long experience as an early years practitioner and trainer to support us to redevelop the BTEC. We were clear it should be in line with what employers require for competence in the workplace, as well as capture what higher education institutions look for, in order that learners should have a range of opportunities to develop and progress.'
Ms Tassoni said the CPLD was a specialist early years qualification up to the end of Key Stage 1 and up to the end of the Foundation Phase in Wales. She addded that it takes into account that many childminders look after children up to the age of eight and that nursery nurses also work in schools.
She added, 'I'm delighted we have a proper early years qualification and this will lead the way. It has been developed from the grassroots up, rather than an awarding body deciding what the sector needs.
'Babies are not optional. In other qualifications babies have become optional. Play is back - we have not had a qualification with a mandatory unit in play for many years.'
The CPLD also has 'a skills for practice log', stipulating 100 skills that practitioners must have. These range from making dough to knowing how to set up a role play area, and using objects for treasure basket play, as well as knowing the difference between sharing a story with a child under two and a four-year old. The CPLD is the only BTEC National qualification to be developed on the National Qualifications Framework since 2007.
Ms James added, 'In terms of conception, breadth and rigour, the CPLD sets a high standard for vocational learning. We will be drawing on it when we revise other BTEC National qualifications, to ensure they offer the same mix of employer and university recognition.'
She envisaged that around 30 per cent of students would go straight into the workplace, but 70 per cent would continue into higher education.
Edexcel hopes that the CPLD will be approved by the Teaching Agency as 'full and relevant'.
Ms James said, 'We believe it more than exceeds the requirements and aligns closely in its approach with the interim findings of the Nutbrown review.' She pointed out that it addresses Cathy Nutbrown's recommendations for a focus on birth to seven years old, the importance of understanding child development and observation, a requirement for three different work placements, a good understanding of diversity and inclusion, and a focus on supporting play with babies and young children.
She added, 'It is our dearest wish that students starting in September can be confident that they will achieve a full and relevant education.'