Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
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Review Level 2 English and maths requirements for ECEC staff, prioritising numeracy quality.
Recommendation
In the short term, to prevent the existing qualification levels of falling any further, the Level 2 English and maths requirements for ECEC staff to count in staff:child ratios should be reviewed , and alternatives considered that are more tailored to the early years sector. When considering the results of the consultation on this matter, the Government should ensure that any changes to this requirement ensure that quality of numeracy teaching is a priority.
Government Response Summary
The government has launched a consultation to remove the Level 2 English and maths requirement for early years practitioners and is analysing responses, while also expanding the Early Years Professional Development Programme with a new maths module to prioritise numeracy teaching tailored to the sector.
Paragraph Reference:
124
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government has carefully considered the Committee’s recommendation regarding the Level 2 English and maths requirement for staff counting in staff:child ratios. In June 2023, the Government launched a consultation on a package of possible flexibilities that could be introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This included proposals to remove the Level 2 English and maths requirement for early years practitioners to count in the ratios. The consultation closed on 26 July 2023 and the Government is currently analysing the responses. The Government will publish its response in due course. The Government supports the Committee’s view that the quality of numeracy teaching is a priority. That is why we are expanding the Early Years Professional Development Programme and will be launching a new maths module through the universally accessible early years online child development training. This training is tailored to the early years workforce as the Committee suggest. This work is part of a Government funded package of training, qualifications, expert guidance, and targeted support for the early years sector to support the learning and development of the youngest and most disadvantaged children.