Education & Early Years T Level

The T Level in Education and Early Years is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in children’s lives and inspiring their learning and development. This qualification provides specialist knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in nurseries, preschools, primary or secondary schools. You’ll learn how to support children’s growth, play, and learning in safe and stimulating environments, complemented by a meaningful industry placement in an early–years or primary school setting.

Upon completion, you will be a qualified Early Years Educator (EYE OS), ready to work as an Early Years Practitioner, Teaching Assistant, progress towards primary teacher training. At Sixth Form college, experienced primary school teachers and early years specialists provide expert teaching and close support, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment that builds your confidence and prepares you for success in education and childcare.

First year:

• Element 1: Wider education sector
• Element 2: Supporting education
• Element 3: Safeguarding, equality and diversity and wellbeing
• Element 4: Special educational needs and disability (SEND)
• Element 5: Child development
• Element 6: Working in partnership
• Element 7: Professional practice

Second year:

• A focus on early years foundation stage and how to support younger children in nurseries and reception classes.
• 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

Technical Qualification: 60%
Industry Placement: 40%

The T Level in Education and Early Years is perfect for people who are passionate about helping children learn, grow, and achieve their potential. To thrive on this course, you should enjoy spending time with children, be caring and patient, and find it rewarding to see children develop and overcome challenges.

You’ll need to be a good communicator, able to work well with both children and adults, and take responsibility for following important rules around safeguarding and safety. An interest in how children learn and develop, along with qualities like creativity, organisation, problem-solving, and teamwork, will help you succeed.

You don’t need to have worked in a school or nursery before, but any experience – such as babysitting, volunteering, or helping younger siblings – will give you a great head start. If this sounds like you, then this course could be the perfect next step!

When you complete this T Level, you’ll qualify as an Early Years Educator (EYE OS), ready to step directly into employment. Many students secure roles in nurseries, preschools, or as Teaching Assistants, often through the very placements they complete during the course.

You could also progress to university, with opportunities to study Primary Education with QTS, Education Studies, Child Development, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, or Play Therapy, among many others.

This course equips you with the skills, experience, and confidence to shape children’s futures – whether you go straight into work or continue into higher education.