Schools look for early years teaching candidates with the right qualifications, solid child development knowledge, and real setting experience. So, even with a tidy CV, you’ll struggle to qualify if one of these three is missing.
But checking if you qualify isn’t always easy. Early education job adverts rarely state which qualification level they require, so strong candidates apply for posts they don’t qualify for. At Sce Lamp Exchange, we see this confusion across nursery and reception hiring every term.
Given how unclear job adverts can be, this guide covers Level 3 and Level 6 qualifications, four training routes, and the skills nurseries value. You’ll also see where the work leads once you’ve qualified.
Let’s look into it.
Early Years Teacher Status: The Qualification Schools Check First
Many applicants apply for jobs without meeting the qualification requirements. For early years teaching in the UK, employers often look for Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), especially in nursery and reception roles.
Sort out three things before you spend money on a course: what the levels give you, how the training differs from primary, and what you need at entry.
What Level 3 and Level 6 Early Years Qualifications Cover
A Level 3 early years educator qualification is equal to A-level standard and counts towards a nursery’s staff ratios. Many nursery staff gain one through college courses, T Levels or early years apprenticeships.
For those who want to move beyond Level 3, Level 6 is degree standard. An early years degree can lead to Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT). Once you complete the training and meet the required standards, you can gain EYTS.
EYTS also changes the maths for a nursery. Under the EYFS rules, one adult can care for 13 children aged three and over if an EYTS or QTS holder works directly with them. Without a qualified teacher, the usual ratio is one adult to eight children.
So, the difference between the levels becomes clear when you apply for jobs. Level 3 holders work as early years practitioners, while Level 6 graduates with EYTS can apply for early years teacher roles.
How Early Years Training Differs from Primary QTS
The main difference lies in the age groups. EYTS covers children from birth to five, while primary QTS covers ages five to 11. That age range drives every other difference.
Because of this, EYITT assesses you against the Early Years Foundation Stage rather than the national curriculum. So, your teaching focuses on learning through play rather than timetabled subjects.
There’s one practical catch. EYTS doesn’t carry the same legal status as QTS in a maintained primary school, so check what your target employers accept before you pick a course.
The GCSEs and Teaching Requirements You Need Before Applying
You’ll need GCSE grade 4 or above in English, Maths and Science before an early years training provider takes your application. If you’re missing one of these grades, you may be able to take an equivalency test instead.
Beyond the GCSEs, graduate routes want a degree, often Early Childhood Studies or a closely related subject, plus hands-on experience with young children. Volunteering in a nursery for a term usually satisfies that.
You’ll also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an interview to assess your practical skills. Starting the DBS process early can help you avoid delays.
Comparing the Four Main Routes to Become an Early Years Teacher
Picking the right route can save you a full year of study and thousands in course fees. The Department for Education accredits four EYITT routes, and each one assumes a different starting point.
So, check your current qualifications and work schedule against the options below.
| Route | How long it takes | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Entry | One year, full-time | Graduates free to study and take placements |
| Graduate Employment-Based | One year, part-time | Graduates already employed in a nursery or school |
| Undergraduate Entry | Three to four years | School leavers starting a degree from scratch |
| Assessment Only | Around three months | Experienced graduates who already meet the standards |
Career changers often pick the employment-based route because they can keep their jobs while training. However, your employer must agree to release you for study and placements.
For Assessment Only, you’ll need evidence that your practice already meets the standards. If you’re considering undergraduate entry instead, check how placements fit around your studies.
School leavers who’d rather earn can start on the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship instead.
Which Skills Do Nursery and Primary Schools Look For?
Schools look for secure child development knowledge, calm behaviour support, clear parent communication, and sharp safeguarding instincts. You’ll find these four skills in many early years job descriptions.
Read each one as something an interview panel will ask you to explain with examples:
- Child Development Knowledge: Staff who know the typical milestones spot a speech delay months before a formal check picks it up. That early flag gets a child support while it still shapes their early learning.
- Calm Behaviour Support: Hold your voice steady when a four-year-old throws a chair, and the whole room can settle down. In the interviews we prepare candidates for, panels ask for a real example, so bring one ready.
- Clear Parent Communication: At pick-up, you get a short window to explain a difficult afternoon without alarming a parent. Plain, honest wording keeps families on your side.
- Sharp Safeguarding Instincts: Every setting expects you to log a concern the same day and name the designated lead. Vague notes can leave out important details, and Ofsted inspectors read them.
In an early years setting, you’ll use all four on the same morning. Pick one story for each before your next interview, because panels want both the example and claim.
Education Careers in Early Years Extend Past Nursery Work
The early years sector spans nurseries, reception classes, children’s centres and advisory work in early years education.
Your next steps depend on where you look for jobs, which roles you want to move into, and how you keep your skills current.
Where Schools Advertise Nursery Teacher Jobs Across the UK
Teaching Vacancies, the free government service, lists nursery teacher jobs UK-wide. You can also check TES and local authority pages. Nursery chains post straight to their own sites too.
But plenty of posts never reach a public job board. School leaders we work with often fill a reception place through an agency before the advert ever goes live.
For this reason, register with an education recruitment agency as well as checking the boards. If you’re open on location, say that early, because it gives agencies more roles to consider for you.
Stepping Up Into Leadership in Early Years
After a few years in a nursery, many early years teachers become room leaders or lead practitioners. Both roles involve planning, managing budgets and guiding teaching assistants.
From there, the early years SENCO post suits those interested in special educational needs. You’d manage support plans and help parents through assessments.
Others move into nursery management or leadership roles within school trusts, where they focus more on staffing, inspections and planning.
Keeping Your Own Learning Going After You Qualify
Your learning doesn’t stop at EYTS, because the EYFS framework and safeguarding guidance get updated. Paediatric first aid needs renewing too.
Pick one piece of professional development a year and finish it, rather than starting three. Consider a SENCO award, a leadership programme or a master’s in childhood education.
Beyond formal early years courses, your own setting offers learning opportunities. For example, watching a colleague handle a difficult handover can teach you useful skills.
Your Next Step Into an Early Years Setting
A career in early years starts with matching your qualification to the role you want. With the right qualification, you can build the skills needed to take on greater responsibilities.
To get started, check the entry requirements for the route that fits your schedule. Then, arrange your DBS check and any equivalency tests. You can also apply for jobs while you train, rather than waiting for the certificate.
If you need help finding the right job, Sce Lamp Exchange can help. Our team places teachers into early years, primary, secondary and SEN roles across the UK. Contact the team for advice and help on your next career step.