In 2022, we hosted design thinking workshops as part of a Nuffield Foundation project on advancing leadership development in the UK early years (EY) sector. Workshop participants asked us to do some research on the similarities and differences between the four nations. In a series of blogposts, we will discuss the key features of the leadership development landscape in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We aim to offer a snapshot of what each nation does when it comes to supporting leadership in EY and how they do it. While each nation refers to EY in their own ways, we use the term ‘EY’ throughout our blogposts in order to simplify the dialogue.

In this article, we consider three features of the Welsh EY leadership development landscape:

1. Leadership in Wales’ EY workforce strategy
2. Qualifications required by EY leaders
3. Playwork leadership

Leadership in Wales’ EY workforce strategy

The Welsh government put forth a 10-year workforce strategy in December 2017 titled Childcare, Play and Early Years Workforce Plan. This document detailed a vision for the EY sector that aimed to ensure children receive the best possible care in Wales.

The workforce strategy noted that the Welsh government would work with Social Care Wales to provide recommendations for continuing professional development (CPD), ensuring that EY professionals are constantly bettering their practice. This would also provide a steer for EY leaders to focus on CPD as a part of their role. Moreover, the workforce strategy discussed creating clear career pathways for aspiring EY leaders, making it easier for EY professionals to understand how to enter leadership positions.

The Welsh government is currently developing a new workforce strategy in which they will consider the role of CPD and, specifically, how to encourage leadership development.

Qualifications required by EY leaders

EY leaders in Wales must achieve a level 5 in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development (CCPLD).

One pathway to achieve this is to start with a level 2 qualification in CCPLD. This leads into a City and Guilds level 3 in CCPLD: Practice which qualifies the learner as an EY professional. The learner would then complete a City and Guilds level 4 titled Preparing for Leadership and Management in CCPLD and conclude with the City and Guilds level 5 in Leadership and Management of CCPLD: Practice.

This pathway to achieve a leadership qualification in Wales supports EY leaders to develop the essential skills needed to confidently and effectively lead and manage their setting.

Playwork leadership

In 2002, Wales became the first government in the world to set forth a policy on children’s play. It follows that playwork is an integral part of the Welsh EY system. More recently in February 2023, the Welsh government set out a document titled Ministerial Review of Play which details how the government and supporting agencies can champion play for children.

Qualifications for playwork professionals, delivered as a level 1, 2, 3 and 5, are in accordance with the National Occupational Standards (NOS). The level 3 qualification focuses on playwork leadership while the level 5 qualification goes in-depth into leading playwork in settings and the community. There are transitional courses available from childcare to playwork, forming a bridge between the sectors to support EY leaders entering playwork leadership.

Sharing learning

As we share learning across the four nations, we want to encourage your contributions in the comments below.

• Is this an accurate portrait of Wales?
• What have we captured well and what are we missing? How does Wales compare to your national context? What would you like to emulate or learn from?
• What are you taking away about leadership development?