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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the introduction of guidance for the experience-based route and the publication of the government's consultation response.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

"We know there are countless dedicated, skilled and experienced educators working in the sector who, despite being excellent at their jobs, are unable to progress due to a lack of formal qualifications. As such, at a time when the early years staffing crisis remains so severe, we hope the launch of the new experience-based route will encourage many more talented individuals to both join and remain in the early years.

"That said, we’re clear that working as an early educator is, and should be seen as a highly-skilled profession. It is absolutely vital, therefore, that the rollout and impact of this policy is monitored closely, and this new route does not come at the expense of the quality of provision that children receive.

"What’s more, while this new route to counting in ratios is likely to offer some welcome respite to providers struggling in the face of the ongoing staffing crisis, this change can only ever be one small part of a much wider recruitment and retention strategy. Ultimately, if the government not only wants to attract new educators into the sector, but also ensure they stay in long term,  it needs to ensure that those working in the sector get the respect – and crucially, the pay – they so clearly deserve."