T Level in Education and Childcare: Early Years Educator

A career in an early years setting will suit you if you are caring, responsible, patient, calm, efficient, energetic and creative. This is a two-year technical study programme, designed with employers to give young people the skills that the childcare and education sector needs.

The core element of a T Level in education and childcare will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics such as child development, safeguarding and special educational needs, as well as learning about the role of families and support agencies. You will learn to provide children with a range of knowledge and skills to help them develop a foundation for good progress throughout their lives. You will be able to support young children aged from birth to five years in the Early Years Foundation stage.

It will provide a mixture of:

• Technical knowledge and skills
• An industry placement of at least 45 days in childcare settings, with a minimum of 750 hours
• Relevant maths, English and digital skills.

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above in appropriate areas, including English and maths, or a CACHE level 2 Diploma plus GCSEs or Functional Skills at level 2 in English and maths. Those considering a career in primary teaching or nursing will also require at least Grade 4 in GCSE Science.

Safeguarding you as students and the children and young people you will be caring for on placement is extremely important to SCG so you must complete a DBS check on enrolment.

All students will develop an understanding of:

- The Education and Early Years 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 spend 3 days a week in college and 2 days in either a local school (Reception class) or day care nursery setting.

Students will be assessed via the core components of: Paper A written examination, Paper B written examination, Employer-set project, Occupational specialism component through a series of synoptic assignments and assessments.

Progression in Childcare and Education

The T Level in Childcare and Education will provide the perfect opportunity for you to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of a wide range of childcare and education-related topics that will prepare you for progression to degree level education, a higher apprenticeship or direct entry into employment.

Potential Careers:

• Teacher
• Health Play Assistant
• Nursery Worker
• Play Therapist
• Teaching Assistant
• Learning Mentor
• Portage Worker

You can apply online via the APPLY button. You can also apply for a second, alternative programme of study such as A Levels via a separate application. If after reading this factsheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our open evenings, ring the Admissions Department on 01743 653111, or email admissions@scg.ac.uk