Education and Early Years

What is T-Level Education and Childcare?

The T-Level Education and Early Years course is a Level 3 Technical Qualification designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career in education and childcare. During the second year, you’ll focus on Early Years education, building knowledge about forming connections with children and young people to support their learning and development effectively.

A significant part of the programme includes a weekly industrial placement, where you’ll gain practical experience working with children in nursery settings or reception classes. This hands-on opportunity helps you develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the workplace and confidently step into the industry after completing the course.

Upon successfully completing the T-Level, you will earn a Level 3 licence to practice as an Early Years Practitioner, giving you the qualifications needed to thrive in this sector.

What Will You Study on the Education and Early Years T-Level?

In the first year, you will build a solid foundation by studying 12 core elements that provide vital knowledge for working in education and childcare. These include:

The wider education context
Child development
Supporting education
Safeguarding health and wellbeing
Special educational needs and disability (SEND)

This year is complemented by employability and enrichment activities to broaden your understanding and prepare you for future roles.

In the second year, your focus will shift to completing an occupational specialism in Early Years Education and Childcare. This part of the course is designed to refine the knowledge and skills you gained in the first year, applying them to real-world practices within the Early Years sector.

By the end of the T-Level, you’ll be equipped with the expertise and practical experience needed to thrive as a skilled practitioner or pursue further study.

Students will need to purchase a DBS and polo shirt to wear on placement.

What Next after Completing T-Level Education and Childcare?

Upon completing the Education and Early Years T-Level, you’ll have several exciting progression opportunities to consider:

Skilled Employment

Begin your career in the education and early years sector in roles such as:

Teaching assistant
Early years practitioner in a nursery or pre-school
Learning mentor or other education support roles

Higher-Level Apprenticeships

Advance to Level 4 apprenticeships and beyond, leading to careers such as:

Assessor in education
Other specialist roles within the sector

Higher Education

Use your T-Level’s UCAS points to pursue relevant higher education qualifications, including:

Foundation Degrees or degrees in teaching, early years studies or youth work
Other education and early years-related pathways

What is the Exam Board for T-Level Education and Childcare?

The exam board for this T-Level is NCFE. Assessment is structured over two years and includes a combination of exams, projects and workplace observations:

Year 12

Two core exams (Core A and Core B) taken at the end of the year

An Employer Set Project (ESP), which focuses on planning and assessment based on a case study under exam conditions

Year 13

Three controlled assessments completed under exam conditions
Structured observations during your industrial placement, which contribute 50% of your Occupational Specialism grade. A college assessor will visit your placement to evaluate your interactions and work with children.

What are the Entry Requirements for T-Level Childcare and Education?

To enrol in the T-Level Education and Early Years course, you’ll need a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 5 and three GCSEs at grade 4, including:

English Language (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or above)

You must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application as part of the course requirements. This is essential for gaining experience working with a variety of vulnerable client groups.

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