Understanding Ofsted's New Experience-Based Route for Early Years Staff

In a significant shift for early years education, The Department for Education has introduced a new Experience-Based Route (EBR) to allow unqualified staff to achieve Level 3 Early Years Educator status. This new pathway not only helps nurseries meet staffing ratios but also provides experienced staff with a route to formal qualification. Here's everything you need to know about the EBR, including the criteria for eligibility, the process, and how to navigate the system.

What is the Experience-Based Route?

The Experience-Based Route (EBR) is designed to support early years staff who have gained significant practical experience in the sector but do not hold formal qualifications. This route enables them to gain Level 3 Early Years Educator status based on their hands-on experience, without needing to undertake traditional classroom-based training.

Key Changes in the New Guidance

The updated guidance on the Experience-Based Route brings new opportunities for nursery managers and staff alike. Here are the main points to note:

Eligibility Criteria:
To participate in the EBR, staff members must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include having worked in early years settings for a certain number of hours and demonstrating a strong understanding of early years practice. The most notable requirement is that staff need a minimum of 751 hours of experience working with children to be eligible for the EBR. This is a key milestone as it allows them to be considered for inclusion in ratios once they meet the requirements.
Observation Phase:
Starting from 3rd March, Ofsted will begin allowing observations of staff members working under the Experience-Based Route. This step is crucial for assessing whether the staff member is suitable for qualification via the EBR, and it marks the beginning of a structured process for these individuals.
Start of Qualification Use:
It’s important to note that while staff can begin the process of qualifying under the EBR from 3rd March, the qualifications will not officially be recognized for staffing ratios until September 2025. From that point onward, eligible staff with over 751 hours of experience will be able to work at Level 3 and be included in the staffing ratios, providing more flexibility for nurseries.
Staffing Ratios:
For managers, the key benefit of the EBR is the ability to include qualified staff in the staff-to-child ratios. This can reduce pressure on hiring fully qualified practitioners, providing opportunities to tap into the experience of long-standing team members who may not yet have formal qualifications.

How to Navigate the Experience-Based Route

To guide your staff through the EBR process, it’s important to understand the stages they’ll need to go through. Luckily, there are tools designed to help managers navigate this journey and ensure everything is tracked properly.

Step 1: Check Eligibility
Before staff can begin the process, you’ll need to confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements. You can use the Experience-Based Route Eligibility Checker to verify if they qualify for the program. This tool will assess whether your staff member has the required experience and knowledge to begin their qualification journey.
Step 2: Understand the Process
Once eligibility is confirmed, your staff members will need to follow a clear, step-by-step process to achieve Level 3 status. The Experience-Based Route Progress Checker will help you track their progress from start to finish. This tool outlines the stages they need to complete, including gathering evidence, assessments, and any necessary training.
Step 3: Keep Track of Progress
Managing the progress of multiple staff members can be challenging, which is why SkillRoute.co.uk offers a dedicated tool to track the progress of your team on the Experience-Based Route. This tool will allow you to monitor each staff member's progress, set milestones, and ensure they’re on track to meet the necessary requirements.

Why Is This Important for Nurseries & Schools?

This new route brings several benefits to nursery managers/owners and school leaders:

Increased Flexibility: With staff members gaining qualifications based on their experience, you can use experienced staff in ratios, which can help you meet Ofsted requirements without relying heavily on newly qualified staff.
Staff Development: By offering this route, you can help staff progress in their careers, increasing job satisfaction and retention. It also gives you the chance to develop your team from within, making your nursery more resilient.
Prepare for September 2025: While the qualification won’t count for staffing ratios until September 2025, getting started early can give your staff the opportunity to meet the requirements ahead of time, ensuring they are ready when the new rules come into effect.

Ofsted’s new Experience-Based Route offers a unique opportunity for both nurseries and schools to utilize their experienced staff in ratios and help those staff gain formal qualifications. With tools like the Experience-Based Route Eligibility Checker and the Experience-Based Route Progress Checker, navigating the process has never been easier. Additionally, the SkillRoute.co.uk tool will help nursery and school managers track staff progress seamlessly, ensuring your team stays on course to meet their qualification goals.

For all of the guidance in detail, please see the government publication here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6799000a9a6dc0352ab3417f/Experience-based_route_for_early_years_-_Guidance.pdf