About the course

T Levels are designed to deliver world-class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs. The Education and Childcare T level has been designed with leading businesses and employers in the sector and gives you: 

• A thorough understanding of concepts and theories of the education and childcare sector.
• The opportunity to solve real life problems in the education and childcare sector.
• Valuable experience of learning from the experts through working side by side with those in the education and childcare sector on your industry placement so that you have the chance to learn what this career is like in the real world while you continue your studies.  
• Specialist knowledge and skills relating to either early years or supporting and mentoring students in further and higher education 

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs Grades 4-9 including English and Maths

How much does it cost?

Free to those aged 16-18

This course is not currently available for 19+ learners.

There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries.

Why study?

T Levels follow GCSEs and are equivalent to studying three A levels. T levels are an advanced level, 2-year technical qualification designed with employers to give you a head start towards the future you want. 

The qualification equips students with core knowledge and skills relevant to Educational and Childcare, up-to-date occupational knowledge and skills that have continued currency amongst employers, and occupational competence that meets employer expectations.

On the Education and Childcare T Level, you’ll learn a wide range of knowledge on topics needed to be successful in this rewarding sector. You will learn about key topics such as child development, supporting education, parents, families and carers and wellbeing.

The need for a skilled and passionate workforce in the early years sector continues to be critical as high quality early years provision can have a positive and lasting impact on children’s development.

Where will this course take me?

T Levels offer many opportunities for progression:

The T Level study programme is eligible for UCAS points.  A T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A Levels at A* and will be recognised by universities.

Enter Employment: You can use the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained to start working in the childcare industry.

Apprenticeship: There are many opportunities offered through apprenticeships that allow you to carry on learning (20%) whilst spending most of your time (80%) furthering your skills in the workplace.

There are a variety of careers you can pursue once you have completed the course as the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will develop are highly prized within a broad range of education and childcare professions.

Careers within the education and childcare profession may include:

• Teacher
• Child Psychologist
• Speech and Language therapist 

Core modules

Year 1 is made up of three key parts: 

1. Core: Knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts and theories of the education and childcare sector:

• Child Development
• Supporting Education
• Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Wellbeing
• Behaviour
• Observation and Assessment
• Equality and Diversity
• Special Educational Needs and Disability
• English as an Additional Language
• Wider Context
• Parents, Families and Carers
• Working with others
• Reflective Practice
• English, Maths and digital skills needed in the education and childcare sector

2. Employer Set Project: A project set by education and childcare specialists that requires you to apply your knowledge to a real-life problem in the industry. 

3. Industry Placement: You will get the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills you have learned in to action as you start your industry placement. You will work with an external education or childcare employer provider to apply your knowledge and develop your technical skills in a real life education or childcare workplace. 

Year 2 is made up of two key parts:

1. You will specialise in: Early Years Education and Childcare; this specialism will enable you explore the skills knowledge and behaviours needed to:

• 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, carers and other professionals to support children’s development

2. Continuation of your Industry Placement; with an external education or childcare employer which will develop your technical skills and apply your knowledge in a workplace environment.

Across year one and two, you will complete at least 750 hours (approx. 150 days) in total working in the education and childcare sector, giving you valuable experience in the workplace and employers the chance to see the new talent in this sector.

Occupational Specialism:

Early Years Educator

Learners will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in:

• 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, caters and other
• Plan, Provide and review care, play and educational opportunities to professionals to support children’s development

How will I be assessed?

Year 1:

Core Assessment: Externally Set Test – Paper 1 and Paper 2 are both graded A*-E

Employer Set Project: Externally assessed project work is graded A*-E

Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a workplace environment.

Year 2:

Synoptic assessment to judge how well the competence requirements have been met. Graded: Distinction, Merit or Pass.

Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a workplace environment.