Education and Early Years T Level Early Years Educator

Course information

T Levels are a 2-year qualification that you can do after your GCSEs as an alternative to A-levels, other post-16 courses or an apprenticeship. They have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need.

Your T Level will be worth UCAS points (a T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A-levels at A*) and will be recognised by universities and other education providers so you can choose to continue studying if you wish.

Whether you want to work with children as a fully qualified Early Years Practitioner in an early years setting, progress to university to train to be a Primary School teacher or onto another field within the sector this is the right choice for you. You will be taught by industry experts who, through their extensive research and practical experience, bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the Education and Childcare course.

This qualification has been designed with employers and businesses and is structured to allow you to spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement.

You will have the opportunity to work with children across a variety of ages and stages of development, linked to your occupational specialism. This ensures you gain the breadth of practice and experience to successfully apply your knowledge and expand your skillset. You will attend placement for two days a week and this could be in Primary Schools, Nurseries, Pre-Schools, Childminders and schools for children with additional needs.

This course carries Licence to Practice, which means you will be qualified at Level 3 to work unsupervised with children under 5 years at the end of your T-Level.

For more information visit https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/  

What You Will Learn

You will develop a core understanding of:
• the education and childcare sector from ages 0 to 19 child development
• how to support children and young people’s education
• safeguarding, health and safety and wellbeing
• understanding and managing behaviour
• observing and assessing children and young people
• equality and diversity
• special educational needs and disability
• English as an additional language
• working with parents, carers and wider families
• working with agencies and services that support children, families and carers
• reflective practice and other forms of professional development.

You will also develop a more focused understanding of the Early Years Educator criteria:
• supporting and promoting children’s play, development and early education
• developing relationships with children to facilitate their development
• planning, providing and reviewing care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress
• safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of children
• working in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development.
Enrichment Opportunities:
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding training
• Forest School training
• Training sessions with a range of guest speakers and other opportunities

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

You must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including Mathematics and English Language.

Alternatively, you should have passed a relevant Level 2 qualification with at least a Merit grade and GCSE passes in English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.

You will have a positive school/college reference with excellent levels of attendance and punctuality.

All students working with children will need to have a DBS Check which requires evidence of your identity which could include: Birth Certificate, Passport, bank statement, P45/P60, letter from your headteacher.

It is desirable to have Science at grade 4 or above if you are thinking of going into Primary School teaching.

Work Experience

Industry placements must last for a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days).

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework, observations in placement, employer set project and examinations.

Progression

After completing your T Level in Education and Childcare (Early Years Educator) you could progress into any of the following careers:
• Nursery Worker
• Playworker
• Portage Home Visitor
• Nanny
• Family Support Worker
• Or a range of other roles in the sector

Or you could progress into Higher Education degree:
• FdA Child and Family Studies at The Cornwall College Group – St Austell
• Other degree programmes at various universities

Cornwall College St Austell

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

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