If you’re researching a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent, you’re probably in one of two situations. You hold a qualification in a related field and want to know if it counts as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent, or you want to understand whether your existing credentials are enough to access a childcare role or funded Level 3 study.
The honest answer is that the word ‘equivalent’ means different things in different contexts. A qualification can be level-equivalent on the Regulated Qualifications Framework without meeting the DfE’s specific early years criteria. And a qualification that does not count toward staffing ratios can still be recognised by employers as relevant background knowledge.
This guide covers both contexts clearly, with a reference table and step-by-step guide to checking your specific qualifications.
Quick Answer: What Counts as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent?
For EYFS Level 2 staffing ratios, only qualifications on the DfE’s Early Years Qualification List as full and relevant at Level 2 count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent. These are specific childcare and early years qualifications, not general Level 2 qualifications in related subjects.
For demonstrating childcare knowledge to employers, qualifications in health and social care, education, or SEND are often valued as background credentials, even if they do not count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent under the strict EYQL criteria.
For accessing a funded Level 3 course, any full Level 2 qualification in any subject may satisfy the ASF entitlement criteria. This is separate from the Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent question for ratio purposes.
The Key Point on Equivalency
For ratio purposes, a Level 2 childcare qualification must be listed by the DfE as full and relevant at Level 2; being RQF Level 2 alone is not sufficient. For qualifications started on or after 1 September 2019, the content must also meet the DfE’s Early Years Practitioner criteria.
Table of Contents
Why Equivalency Matters: The Two Contexts Where It Comes Up
Context 1: EYFS Staffing Ratios
In registered early years settings, at least half of all staff must hold an approved Level 2 qualification. The qualification that counts as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent for ratios is specifically those on the DfE’s EYQL. Whether your qualification meets this standard is a binary question with a definitive answer from the DfE.
Context 2: Employer Recognition
Outside of the ratio question, employers often consider adjacent qualifications as evidence of relevant knowledge. A Level 2 in Health and Social Care or SEND does not count toward ratios, but it is recognised by many employers as useful background for support roles.
The DfE Standard: What Makes a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent Full and Relevant
The Department of Education uses the phrase ‘full and relevant’ to describe qualifications that meet its criteria for early years staffing ratios. Understanding what this means in practice helps you evaluate any qualification you hold or are considering.
What ‘Full’ Means
For a Level 2 Childcare qualification to be equivalent to ‘full’, it must be a complete regulated award on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), not a unit, short course, or CPD certificate.
What ‘Relevant’ Means
For Level 2 qualifications started on or after 1 September 2019, the qualification must meet the DfE’s Early Years Practitioner. Level 2 criteria, covering child development, safeguarding, communication, and health and safety. A general Level 2 that does not cover these areas does not meet the relevant standard.
The Course Start Date Matters More Than the Completion Date
The DfE evaluates qualifications based on the course start date, not the completion date. Earlier qualifications are assessed against the criteria in force when they started.
| 2019 | 2019 is the pivotal year for Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalency standards. Qualifications started on or after 1 September 2019 must meet the Early Years Practitioner Level 2 criteria to be full and relevant, while earlier qualifications are assessed against the criteria in force when they started. |
What Counts as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent and What Does Not
The table below covers the most commonly asked Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent questions
| Qualification or Credential | Count as Equivalent? | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Full and relevant Level 2 on the DfE EYQL | Yes, for ratio purposes | The definitive standard. Appears on the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) as full and relevant at Level 2. Examples include the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship standard and approved college-based Level 2 diplomas. |
| NVQ Level 2 Childcare and Education, or other legacy Level 2 Childcare qualifications | Sometimes | Whether it counts depends on when the qualification was started and whether it met the criteria in force at that time. Check the DfE Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL). |
| GCSE | No, for ratio purposes | GCSEs may support entry or progression, but they are not considered a full and relevant childcare qualification. |
| Level 2 Health and Social Care | Generally no, for childcare ratio purposes | Useful for related health and care sectors, but it does not usually meet the full and relevant requirements for EYFS staffing ratios. |
| Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People | Usually no | This is generally an introductory qualification and does not automatically count unless it is specifically listed by the DfE as full and relevant. |
| Short courses and CPD certificates | No | These support professional development but are not recognised as full and relevant qualifications for staffing ratio purposes. |
| Overseas childcare qualifications | Depends | These may require formal recognition and comparison before they can be accepted for use in the UK. |
| T Level in Education and Early Years | No, because it is Level 3 | This is a Level 3 qualification and should not be treated as a Level 2 qualification. |
| A Levels | No | A Levels are Level 3 qualifications and do not meet the Level 2 childcare requirements for EYFS staffing ratios. |
Start building your childcare credentials today
The Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People and the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties are available through My Free Course, funded by The Adult Skills Fund for eligible learners in England.
How to Check Whether Your Qualification Counts as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent
The most reliable way to confirm whether a qualification you hold counts as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent for ratio purposes is to use the DfE’s official tools directly. There are two routes:
Route 1: The Check an Early Years Qualification Service
The GOV.UK Check an early years qualification service at gov.uk/guidance/check-an-early-years-qualification (launched March 2025, updated December 2025) confirms whether a qualification counts as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent for ratio purposes. You need the qualification title, awarding body name, and course start date.
Route 2: The Early Years Qualifications List
The EYQL at gov.uk is the full DfE register of approved qualifications, last updated 13 May 2026. Search by qualification title or awarding body. If your qualification appears as full and relevant at Level 2, it counts for ratios. If it does not appear, it does not.
If Your Manager or Employer Questions Your Qualification
The DfE’s ‘Check an early years qualification’ service can be used by both employers and practitioners. It is intended to reduce uncertainty about whether an existing qualification is full and relevant. If the service confirms that a qualification is full and relevant, that is the authoritative DfE position for ratio purposes.
Overseas Qualifications: How to Get a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent Recognised in England
If you gained your childcare qualification outside the UK, it is not automatically accepted as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent in England. It may need formal comparison or recognition before it can be considered for early years purposes.
UK ENIC assesses overseas qualifications for comparability to UK credentials. For early years purposes, an overseas qualification should be considered in line with the relevant DfE requirements for full and relevant status, rather than by general level comparison alone. Until the qualification has been formally recognised for the relevant purposes, it should not be assumed to count toward EYFS ratios.
Overseas Qualifications: Practical Steps
Contact UK ENIC at ukenicnaric.org.uk with your original qualification certificate, transcript if available, and awarding institution details. The process takes several weeks. You can work in a support capacity during assessment, but you cannot be counted in staffing ratios.
If You Do Not Have a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent
If, after reviewing the guidance, you conclude that your current qualifications do not count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent for ratio purposes, the next step is to consider your options.
If your employer needs you in ratios, the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship is a clear route to a recognised Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent. If you are not yet working in a setting, an introductory course such as Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People may be a useful starting point. However, it does not appear on the DfE full and relevant list and does not count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification for ratio purposes.
The Second Course: Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties as a Complementary Credential
My Free Course also offers the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties as a funded online qualification. It may be useful for learners exploring Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent options, especially if they already work in childcare or education and want to strengthen their knowledge without starting a full new qualification.
The course provides a targeted understanding of specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia, and it can be completed more quickly than a full Level 2 qualification. For practitioners building their professional profile, it offers relevant additional knowledge, but it should not be presented as a substitute for a full and relevant Level 2 Childcare qualification.
Approximately 15% of pupils with identified SEND in England have a primary need for a specific learning difficulty. For practitioners, this course adds targeted knowledge that can strengthen their professional knowledge base.
| Unit | Title | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Characteristics of ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia | Covers the defining characteristics of each specific learning difficulty, how they present differently across individuals, and how they are distinguished from one another. |
| Unit 2 | How Specific Learning Difficulties Affect Children and Adults | Explores how specific learning difficulties can affect people differently depending on age, context, and the level of support available, including impacts on education, social life, and everyday functioning. |
| Unit 3 | The Importance of Early Diagnosis | Examines why early identification of specific learning difficulties is important, the barriers that can delay diagnosis, and the outcomes associated with early versus late identification. |
| Unit 4 | Assessment Methods for Diagnosing Specific Learning Difficulties | Covers the range of assessment approaches used to identify and diagnose specific learning difficulties, including the role of educational psychologists, school-based assessment tools, and specialist screening. |
| Unit 5 | Supporting Individuals in Study and Employment | Explores practical strategies for supporting individuals with specific learning difficulties to access, begin, and sustain education and employment, including reasonable adjustments, communication approaches, and inclusive practice. |
It is available online through My Free Course, funded by the Adult Skills Fund. Study it alongside the Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People or as a standalone specialist credential.
“According to the DfE’s Special Educational Needs in England: 2024-25 release, a proportion of pupils with SEND in England have a primary need of specific learning difficulty. Understanding specific learning difficulties is useful foundational knowledge for practitioners working with children.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Level 2 Health and Social Care Count as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent?
Not for EYFS ratio purposes. Level 2 Health and Social Care does not appear on the DfE’s EYQL as full and relevant. It may be valued by employers as background knowledge, but cannot substitute for a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent in ratio calculations.
Does an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare Count as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent?
Possibly. A pre-2015 NVQ Level 2 in Childcare may count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent, but the specific qualification and start date matter. Use the GOV.UK qualification checker to confirm.
Can Five GCSEs Count as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent for Ratio Purposes?
Not for ratio purposes. GCSEs are Level 2 on the RQF and satisfy funding entitlement criteria, but a GCSE does not count as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent under the DfE full and relevant standard.
What Is the Fastest Way to Check If My Qualification Counts as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent?
Use the GOV.UK ‘Check an early years qualification’ service. Enter your qualification title, awarding body, and course start date to confirm whether it qualifies as a Level 2 Childcare qualification equivalent for ratio purposes.
I have a childcare qualification from another country. Does it count?
Not automatically. Overseas qualifications need a formal assessment through UK ENIC. Until you receive recognition, they cannot count toward EYFS ratios. Contact UK ENIC at ukenicnaric.org.uk to begin.
Does the MFC Level 2 Course Count as a Level 2 Childcare Qualification Equivalent?
No. The Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People is an introductory, entry-level qualification accredited by NCFE or TQUK. It does not count as a level 2 childcare qualification equivalent for EYFS ratio purposes. For ratio purposes, the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship is the recommended route.
Disclaimer
Tuition fees for eligible learners are fully funded by the Adult Skills Fund. Some partner colleges may charge an administration fee (typically £50-£100) for registration and certification, but not us. At My Free Course, it’s completely free.
This varies by provider. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, including age, residency, earnings, and prior qualifications. My Free Course acts as an intermediary between learners and partner colleges. Course availability is subject to change. Geographic exclusions apply. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Visit MyFreeCourse.co.uk for the most current course and eligibility information.
