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GCSEs in maths and English will now be an exit rather than an entry requirement for apprentices undertaking Early Years Educator (EYE) Level 3 qualifications, the government has confirmed.

Childcare minister Sam Gyimah confirmed in an announcement on 1 July that apprentices will have to demonstrate a good level of English and maths by the end of their training through the creation of an ‘exit standard’ of a grade C or above at GCSE.

He said: “We’re totally committed to raising the bar and improving the care children receive in the early years so parents can have the strongest confidence in the people who are teaching our youngest children.

“However, unnecessary barriers shouldn’t stop skilled people joining the workforce, and it makes much more sense to have an exit standard rather than a barrier to entry. That’s why I’m pleased to say that we will offer people the chance to study their maths and English GCSEs alongside their childcare apprenticeship training.”

The move has been welcomed by the early years sector, which says that it will encourage more apprentices to join the workforce.

But the ������������� has warned that the government also needs to review its current stance on equivalent qualifications, as well as the eligibility criteria for learners undertaking standalone EYE qualifications.

Chief executive Neil Leitch said: “We would urge the government to review its current stance on GCSE equivalents, such as functional skills qualifications, given that the majority of early years employers agree that such qualifications are a valid demonstration of competency in English and maths. A decision not to accept equivalent qualifications is likely to lead to significantly fewer qualified employees in the workforce, at a time when the government is actually looking to expand early years provision in this country.

“Additionally, the fact that this decision only currently applies to EYE qualifications undertaken as part of an apprenticeship risks creating an unbalanced position where practitioners wanting to undertake an EYE as a standalone course will still be required to have GCSEs on entry. In the interests of fairness and consistency, we would urge the government to reconsider its position on this issue.”