Over the past few months, we’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our Swift Payback Programme. Hundreds of learners and nursery teams have reached out to tell us how their careers or settings have been affected by qualifications that turned out not to be full and relevant under EYFS.
Because of this demand, I’m pleased to announce that we are extending the Payback Programme until 31st March 2026.
What the Payback Programme Does
The Swift Payback Programme exists to support learners and nurseries caught out by non-compliant early years qualifications. If you completed a course in the last four years believing it was “full and relevant,” and it isn’t, we step in to help you requalify without paying twice.
Eligible learners or their employers can access up to £1,500 credit toward our fully accredited Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma, a qualification that genuinely counts and keeps nurseries compliant.
Whether it’s a learner whose career has stalled or a nursery owner trying to support staff, we’re committed to helping as many people as possible through this programme.
Why We’re Doing This
It’s not our fault that others misrepresented qualifications, but the reality is that so many people’s careers and nurseries have been affected, and we can’t turn a blind eye. Every course we offer at Swift is fully mapped to EYFS, meets the DfE’s “full and relevant” criteria, and is designed exclusively for the early years sector.
We’re doing everything we can to help people navigate this situation, requalify, and get back on track, because everyone deserves a qualification that counts.
How to Apply
NURSERY OWNERS – BEGIN YOUR CLAIM
The extension to 31st March 2026 gives more time for eligible learners and nurseries to claim, but places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Final Word from Me
This programme isn’t just about fixing one qualification or helping one nursery. It’s about restoring confidence across the early years sector. We’ve heard your feedback, we’ve acted, and we’re doing everything we can to support the hundreds of people affected.
We’re committed to helping you get a qualification that truly counts.
Jack Edwards
Operations Director, Swift Childcare
