Can My Level 2 Staff Be Left Alone with Children? (2025 Ratio Rules Explained)

If you're short on Level 3s, juggling the rota, and wondering if your experienced Level 2s can "hold the fort" - you're not alone. Many early years providers are facing the same challenge.

The answer used to be simple: No. But thanks to new changes introduced by the Department for Education, some unqualified staff can now count as Level 3s - if you meet specific conditions.

This blog explains:

• What the 2025 staffing ratio rules say

• What the Experience-Based Route (EBR) is

• How it can help with staffing shortages

• How to track it properly (without a spreadsheet meltdown)

What Do the EYFS 2025 Rules Say?

Under the EYFS framework, staff must meet qualification requirements to be counted in ratios. Traditionally, that meant holding a recognised Level 2 or Level 3 childcare qualification.

Here's the key part that causes confusion:

Level 2 staff cannot be left alone with children unless there's a Level 3 present on-site and the ratios are being met correctly.

That's where the new Experience-Based Route comes in - and for many, it's a game-changer.

What Is the Experience-Based Route (EBR)?

The EBR is a new government-approved route that allows staff without a formal Level 3 qualification to count as Level 3 - based on their experience and assessment in the role.

To be eligible, a staff member must:

• Have worked at least 751 hours in a relevant early years role
• Be assessed by their setting against a set of Level 3 criteria
• Have evidence of their experience and assessments on file

In simple terms, you can promote your most experienced Level 2s - even if they don't have a paper qualification - if you can prove they meet the standard.

Why Aren't More Settings Using This?

Because many don't even know it exists.

The EBR was introduced with little fanfare. Unless you're glued to DfE updates (and let's be honest, who is?), you might have missed it entirely.

That means many settings are:

• Running short-staffed unnecessarily
• Overlooking staff who could be counted in ratios
• Risking non-compliance by failing to evidence who qualifies

How to Use the Experience-Based Route Safely

Here's what you need to do to make use of the EBR:

✅ Identify eligible staff
✅ Record their start date on the route
✅ Track their weekly hours worked
✅ Assess them against the EBR Level 3 criteria
✅ Store proof of completion (including assessment outcomes)

Sounds like a lot? That's because it is - especially if you're doing it all manually.

Introducing SkillRoute: The Easy Way to Track EBR Progress

To help nursery managers and school leaders stay compliant, SkillRoute.co.uk - a tool designed specifically to manage the EBR.

With SkillRoute.co.uk, you can:

• Add staff to the EBR and track their hours worked
• Log and manage assessments
• See at a glance who is fully compliant
• Keep evidence organised and ready for inspections

It's everything you need to stay on top of the EBR - with none of the spreadsheet stress.

TL;DR - Quick Recap

• Level 2s can't be left alone unless a Level 3 is on-site
• Some unqualified staff can now count as Level 3s through the Experience-Based Route
• To use the EBR, you must track hours and assess performance against set criteria
• SkillRoute.co.uk makes this simple, clear, and inspection-ready

✅ Ready to Try It?

Want to know which of your staff could count as Level 3 today?

Start your free SkillRoute trial