Alliance comments on removal of GCSE entry requirements for standalone Level 3 EYE courses

31st July 2015

Commenting on the news that the Skills Funding Agency has removed the previous GCSE English and maths entry requirement for standalone Level 3 EYE courses, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“We warmly welcome this change, which creates far more consistency across all EYE Level 3 qualifications. Many learners had expressed concerns to us that the previous GCSE requirements would be serious barrier to them progressing to Level 3, and so it is very encouraging to see that the government has listened, and responded positively, to sector feedback on this issue.

“We hope that the Department for Education will continue to engage with the sector on the issue of qualifications - particularly with regard to functional skills, and the continued calls for them to be recognised and accepted as GCSEs equivalents. Such a move will ensure that talented, dedicated potential practitioners are not prevented from establishing a career within the sector, and help ensure the sustainability of the early years workforce in the long term.”

For further information or to interview, Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance please contact:
Shannon Hawthorne
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2503
E: Shannon Hawthorne

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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