Early Years Educator (Education and Childcare) - T Level

The Technical Qualification (TQ) form part of the T Level study programme. The purpose of the Technical Qualifications is to ensure students have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher level technical training or study in the education and childcare sector. The outline content has been produced by T Level panels on the same standards as those used for apprenticeships. The outline content formed the basis of this qualification and has been further developed by CACHE.

The Technical Qualification is Primarily aimed at post-16-year-olds who wish to progress into the education and childcare sector. This qualification will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to enter skilled employment. 

The two-year programme is a combination of classroom-based knowledge development and 750 hours in a real setting to develop occupational skills.

The Technical Qualification is split into 2 component parts:
The Core Component provides a high-level foundation of knowledge and skills that are relevant to all Occupational Specialisms within this qualification.

• Wider Context
• Child Development
• Supporting Education
• Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Wellbeing
• Behaviour
• Observation and Assessment
• Equality and Diversity
• Special Educational Needs and Disability
• English as an Additional Language
• Parents, Families and Carers
• Working with Others
• Reflective Practice

The Occupational Specialism Component covers the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours required to achieve threshold competence in a chosen Occupational Specialism. English, Mathematics and Digital skills have also been embedded throughout the content to help students reach threshold competence in their chosen Occupational Specialism. Threshold competence refers to the level of competence deemed by employers as sufficient to secure employment in roles relevant to an occupational specialism. Achievement of threshold competence signals that a student is well-placed to develop full occupational competence, with further support and development, once in work. The Occupational Specialism will be spread over the 2 years, by learners completing 750 hours in a real childcare setting. 

• 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 well-being of children
• Work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development

Entry requirements for this T Level programme are:

• A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above
• Including English Language, Maths and Science (Combined) in Grade 4 or above

All applicants will be invited for an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The Core Components are assessed through:

• 2 written examinations (Paper A and Paper B)
• An employer-set project (ESP) – a supervised project, devised and set by NCFE

Students will receive marks for:

• Paper A
• Paper B
• Employer-set project (ESP)

These marks will be aggregated to create one grade for the Core Component.

The Occupational Specialism is Assessed through: 

• Synoptic assignments (specific to each Occupational Specialism)

The number of practical assignments may vary depending on the Occupational Specialism and the guided learning hours attached.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

You can progress into roles such as:

• Nursery Worker
• Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant
• Teaching Assistant
• Learning Mentor

You can also use this T Level to do a related higher level apprenticeship or degree course.