Education and Childcare T level: Education -Early Years Education and Childcare specialism

This T Level has been developed in collaboration with education and childcare employers so the content meets the needs of industry and will prepare you for the workplace. You will gain the skills and knowledge you need to follow a career in the early years education and childcare sector. The majority of your time will be spent at college learning a broad range of key theories from across the whole sector along with spending 45-days on an industry placement within the childcare setting. We will support you to find the best placement to suit you. If you are not quite ready for a T level but want to get on the path to your chosen career, then a Transition Programme could be for you. The Transition Programme is tailored to meet your individual needs and will help develop your maths and English skills, your work readiness and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts of the T Level you wish to progress onto the following year.

During the first year, you will cover 12 core elements that underpin the education and childcare sector and will give you a solid foundation to progress in your career: 1. Wider context: an overview of childcare and education from ages 0 to 19 including childcare, school and post 16 provisions and an introduction to working in the education and childcare sector for example looking at the roles, responsibilities, and career opportunities. 2. Child development: you will look at development from birth to 19 including children and young people�s personal development, language, and how to support them through transitions and significant events in their lives. 3. Supporting education: this looks at the early years foundation framework (EYFF), the national curriculum, how to support children and young people�s education and factors that affect this. 4. Safeguarding, health and safety, and wellbeing: this will introduce you to a range of requirements and guidance including statutory guidance and legal requirements as well as the importance of children and young people�s emotional health and well-being. 5. Behaviour: this looks at how children and young people develop and the implications this has on their behaviour including verbal and non-verbal behaviour. You will also learn about the range of strategies that can be used to support behavioural development. 6. Observation and assessment: this provides an overview of the role of national test assessments and assessors along with why it�s important to report on children and young people�s progress. 7. Equality and diversity: this covers the basic principles of current equality and diversity practice as well as the importance of promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. 8. Special educational needs and disability (SEND): this element covers provision for children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs including professionals and organisations involved with SEND, different models of disability, empowering children and young people, and removing barriers. 9. English as an additional language: this looks at a range of aspects including strategies to support children and young people when English is taught as an additional language. 10. Parents, families, and carers: the importance of these groups and how to work with them as well as support them. 11. Working with others: this element looks at agencies, services, and professionals who support children, families, and carers as well as working collaboratively and establishing effective relationships with them. 12. Reflective practice: includes models of reflection, the importance of continuing professional development, and feedback. In the second year, you will go into early years education and childcare in greater depth and you will work on an employer set project as part of your industry placement, whilst gaining knowledge and skills in a real-life work environment. You will be working towards five key learning outcomes: 1. Supporting and promoting children�s play, development, and early education 2. Developing relationships with children to facilitate their development 3. Planning, providing and reviewing care, play, and educational opportunities to enable children to progress 4. Safeguarding and promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of children 5. Working in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers, and other professionals to support children�s development. English, maths, and digital skills relevant to Education and Childcare route will be integrated throughout the course and you must achieve a level 2 in English and maths as a minimum exit requirement.

You will be assessed through a variety of methods such as external exams, controlled assessments, an employer-led set project and summarise your learning through practical assignments. This will generate an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction, or distinction* You will be awarded a nationally recognised certificate which will show a breakdown of what you have achieved and can be worth up to 168 UCAS points.

T levels are for people who are 16-18 on 31 August on the date that they start the course. You need the following to be accepted on the Education and Childcare T level: GCSE maths and English at grade 4 or higher at least 3 other GCSES at grade 4 or above one reference (this is usually from your school). 90% attendance at school (desirable) If you don't meet these but want to start on your chosen career path entry requirements for Transition Programmes are slightly lower. You will need 4 GCSEs, including English plus two other subjects at grade 4 and maths at grade 3

This course is suitable for anyone wanting a career in early years education and childcare. Students can progress into roles such as nursery worker, childminding or special educational needs teaching assistant as well as many options at university level including qualified teaching programmes. You could work in a wide variety of settings including the opportunity of working abroad. Students can also use this T Level to do a related higher-level apprenticeship or go on to do a degree course. Our independent careers advisors can support you through your next steps and provide information, advice, and guidance.