Education & Early Years – Early Years Educator - T Level

“Employers have been really impressed by the experience I gained on placements.”

Entry Requirements

You will need 4 GCSEs at grade 4 including GCSE Maths or GCSE English Language. You will also require an enhanced DBS check prior to commencing industry placement which college will help you to organise.

Subject Intent

Government policy on early years education continuously evolves and recent changes to the funded childcare from the age of 9 months has led to an increase in demand for places in early years settings, furthermore, there is also a shortage of qualified early years practitioners to provide the workforce for this additional demand for places. The T Level in Education and Early Years provides students with first-hand experiences of working with young children in a variety of education and care settings where they acquire knowledge and develop the skills required to support their next steps. Students can progress to a wide range of career options in the fields of education, health and social care, both directly into the workforce or onto higher education to study higher apprenticeships, foundation and honours degrees.

Course Introduction

Working with children and young people requires a lot of patience, enthusiasm and hard work. This course will be suitable for you if you have a genuine interest in working with children and young people and want a qualification that offers a licence to practice with children aged 0-5 years, but also provides flexibility to work in a range of job roles in the fields of education, health and social care with children and young people across the 0-19 age range.

As part of the course, you will work with early years educators in day nurseries, pre-schools, primary schools and special education provision by planning, implementing and evaluating play and learning experiences to support children’s learning and development. You will also learn, and apply, skills in observation and assessment using the early years framework in order to inform future planning requirements for children’s individual needs.

On completion of the course, you will have a licence to practice within the Early Years sector allowing you to go straight into employment. Alternatively, you may choose to continue onto university to study courses for a range of job roles in education, health, social care.

Course Modules

Core Elements (Year 1)

• Wider education sector
• Supporting education
• Safeguarding, equality and diversity and wellbeing
• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Child development
• Working in partnership
• Professional practice

Early Years Educator Occupational Specialism (Year 2)

• Support and promote children’s play, development and early education
• Develop relationships with children to facilitate their development
• Plan, provide and review care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress
• Safeguard and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children
• Work in partnership with colleagues, parents, cares and other professionals to support children’s development

To succeed you will need to be passionate about working with children, have effective communication and teamworking skills, and be willing to undertake a minimum of 750 hours industry placement.

On completion of the course, you will have a licence to practice within the Early Years sector allowing you to go straight into employment. Alternatively, you may choose to continue onto university to study courses for a range of job roles in education, health, social care.

Assessment

Assessment, which includes exams, project, practical tasks and written contextualised assignments will take place both in college and on placement.

Course Fact

You will gain a licence to practice in the Early Years sector. We also have a Forest School setting on site to allow students to practice setting up and delivering outdoor activities and learning experiences.

Example Career Opportunities

Early Years Educator | Primary Teacher | Social Worker | Nanny Children’s Holiday Representative | Children’s Nurse Hospital Play Therapist | Psychologist | Special Needs Teacher | Play Therapist