Guidance

Early years qualifications achieved outside the UK

How you make an application for recognition of non-UK qualifications to work in an early years setting in England.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 10 February 2022
• Last updated: 20 March 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 20 March 2025

     Updated to clarify information about the Ecctis early years qualification recognition service and additional information about the experience-based route (EBR) for early years staff.

  2. 21 December 2022

     'How you make an application for recognition of overseas qualifications' has been updated.

  3. 5 September 2022

     The 'Applications for recognition' section has been updated with information on how to apply for an Early Years Statement from Ecctis.

  4. 8 March 2022

     Added a section on Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications.

  5. 10 February 2022

     First published.

Documents

How you make an application for recognition of non-UK qualifications

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Details

The information you will need to make an application for recognition of non-UK qualifications to be counted in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) staff:child ratios in an early years setting in England.

This applies to those in:

• Europe
• the rest of the world