Qualifications and training guidance

Early years register - if the youngest children are of reception age or above

There are no specific qualification requirements for staff. You are still required to demonstrate how your staff have suitable training to complete their role.

Early years register - if any child younger than reception age attend

You must meet the relevant qualifications as set out in the EYFS  for children under school age.

Childcare register, compulsory part

There are no specific qualification requirements for staff. You are still required to demonstrate how your staff have suitable training to complete their role.

Childcare register, voluntary part

You must have at least one person qualified to Level 2 in a subject related to the service you provide (for example sports based provision should have a L2 sports coaching qualification) or training in the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge. 

Note that these qualification requirements apply to all Ofsted-registered out of school clubs, including clubs run directly by schools. Being run by a school does not exempt a club from these requirements.

Paediatric First Aid requirements 

If your club is an Ofsted-registered setting and doesn't take any children younger than the Reception year, it is a legal requirement to have at least one member of staff with a current full (12-hour) paediatric first aid certificate on duty at all times. This person must be working with the children (i.e. not an admin person working in an office) and able to respond quickly.

If your setting is spread out, or operates from a number of different rooms, or has children playing inside and outside at the same time, it may be necessary to have more than one first aider on duty at any one time, in order to meet the requirement of being able to respond quickly.