The role of Foundation Phase practitioner is currently under review by Welsh Government. This page will be updated with the outcome of the review once available.
Current qualification accepted
Qualifications gained outside of Wales
The following information applies to you if:
- you are working, or would like to work, as an early years and childcare practitioner in Wales and
- have a relevant qualification (from the UK or overseas) that isn’t listed on the qualification framework or the precedence list.
Qualifications gained in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England
Qualifications achieved prior to December 2026
If you are a worker moving to Wales and hold a qualification (achieved prior to Dec 2026. The date of achievement can be found on your certificate) which is recognised by Skills for Care (England), the Northern Ireland Social Care Council or Scottish Social Service Council you should complete aspects of the All Wales induction framework for early years and childcare that are relevant to your role and the setting.
QEA Process from January 2027
If you are a worker moving to Wales and hold a qualification in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland, you will need to check the precedence list to see if your qualification is accepted or not in Wales.
If the qualification is not already on the precedence list, you will need to request to have your qualification assessed through the Qualification Equivalency Assessment (QEA) process. You can find out more about this process on the qualification equivalency assessment webpage.
International qualifications
If you are a worker moving to Wales and hold an international qualification you will need to check the precedence list to see if your qualification is accepted or not in Wales.
If the qualification is not already on the precedence list, you will need to request to have your qualification assessed through the Qualification Equivalency Assessment (QEA) process. You can find out more about this process on the qualification equivalency assessment webpage.