Experience-based route for early years staff

This guidance outlines the recommended approach for early years providers who are interested in carrying out the experience-based route for staff in their setting.

This route allows for suitable and experienced staff, who do not hold full and relevant qualifications, to be included in the staff:child ratios at level 3 following a period of supervised practice.

This guidance is for:

• registered early years providers required to comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers
• early years provider and premises managers
• early years staff
• school leaders, school staff and governing bodies in schools providing early years provision

The experience-based route: initial and final check form and record can be used:

• as a template when making assessments of staff proceeding with this route
• to record evidence of decision-making

This route is only available to providers and staff that meet the requirements set out in the Early years qualification requirements and standards document.