T Level Early Years Education and Childcare (September 2025 Start)

The T Level in Early Years: Education and Childcare will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher-level technical training or university level study in the Education and Childcare sector. This is a 2 year programme where you cover your core elements in the first year and you will choose your occupation specialism in the 2nd year. This occupational specific qualification meets the Early Years Educator Criteria and has been recognised and approved by the Department for Education.

During the course of the 2 years you will commence industry placements within our range of provisions, where you will focus on key elements of effective practice, work alongside the key person to develop skills and competencies of supporting a group of children. This will be at least 715 hours over the two year period. You will be expected to build a small portfolio of your skills and knowledge in preparation for external assessments.

Successful completion of this qualification is recognised within the Early Years industry, which means you will be able to be counted in EYFS staff child ratios, have a group of key children and hold a supervisory capacity within a setting. You will also be able to progress onto an Early Years/Education/Primary Teaching access to higher education course or a foundation degree.

Minimum of a grade 5 in GCSE English and Maths

Learners will experience both classroom-based and practical learning through college and industry placement. The Technical Qualification (TQ) is the main classroom-based element of the course and consists of two components: The ‘Core’, which provides students with the knowledge that underpins the industry including child development from 0-19 , behaviour, observation and assessment, Equality and diversity, health and safety, working with parents/carers and families, safeguarding, supporting education provisions from Early Years, Primary and secondary, special educational needs and disability, English as an additional language and reflective practice. The ‘occupation’ specialism of Early Years educator specialist Where we focus on Early Years (0-5 years), where we will then focus on play, building relationships with children, safeguarding and keeping children safe, planning and preparing for all children and finally partnership working with a variety of professionals. A significant component of the occupational specialism is the industrial placement which will last for a minimum of 715 hours during the 2-year period The other occupational specialism is Assisting teaching, where you would cover supporting the teacher to enhance education, plan educational opportunities, safeguarding in the school environment, working with children with additional needs and disabilities to support access to the primary curriculum.

In order to study the T level you will need to have the following: 5 GCSE’s at the minimum grade of 5 and above, this must include your English Lit, Lang and Maths , you may also be expected to complete a group interview and complete a small diagnostic task to look at your level of current knowledge. If progressing from a level 2 qualification – you will need to hold your GCSE English and Maths at a 5 with a Distinction/ B in your Level 2 Early Years qualification. Previous experience of work experience in a nursery/primary setting is an advantage as well as working with guides/beavers/scouts.