Early Years Education - T Level

Summary

This two-year course covers all aspects of children’s learning and development, with a 750-hour work placement providing valuable practical experience to support your chosen career aspirations.

Successful completion of this course provides the UCAS Tariff points required to progress to higher education.

During your interview for this course we will discuss opportunities to continue into education-related degree-level courses with B&FC.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
01 Sep 2025
Bispham Campus
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification provides you with a licence to practice in early years.

You do not need further qualifications to become an early years practitioner.

Alternatively you may consider higher education - such as B&FC’s Early Childhood Studies or the upcoming BA (Hons) Education courses.

Key information

Entry Requirements

If you're 16-18 and looking to work in an early years environment, such as a nursery or as a childminder, this course will help you develop the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career.

5 GCSEs grade 4 or above in English and Maths and a clear DBS check are required, along with the following:

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16-18 year-old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

Qualification obtained

T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years

Fees and funding

If you are 18 and under no fees are payable. If you are 19+, please read our tuition fee guide for adult learners.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need black trousers and black flat shoes for your industry placement. We will provide you with the rest of your placement uniform.

You will also need a set of stationery, paper and ring binder folder for your learning sessions on campus.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: NCFE

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Essential skills: English and Maths

If you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme.

At B&FC, this won’t delay your career journey because you’re working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This course features a mandatory 750-hour work placement over the two years, designed to enhance learning and increase your employability.

Appropriate settings where you could be placed include nurseries, child-minders, children’s centres, primary schools, afterschool clubs and breakfast clubs.

We will also invite you to attend mandatory relevant field trips and career events, which you could draw from to enhance your CV and personal statement. 

How will I learn?

This is a full-time course, involving 3 days a week spent at College and 2 days a week on work placement in a childcare or nursery setting.

We will also expect you to spend at least 3 hours a week on independent learning.

At College, teaching is delivered in groups and supported by group activities and discussions. One-to-one support is also provided to help with completing written assignments.

When you start the course we will assign you a progress tutor who will support you throughout your time here.

Their role is to help you in setting academic and personal targets, identifying career plans, developing employability skills and monitoring your progress to make sure you realise your full potential.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

This two-year T Level is structured into two components.

Year 1 contains Core units, assessed through an examination and an employer-set project.

Subjects you will study include:

  • Child Development
  • Supporting Education
  • Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Wellbeing
  • Behaviour
  • Observation and Assessment
  • Equality and Diversity
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability
  • English as an Additional Language
  • Parents, Families and Carers
  • Working with Others

In Year 2, you will specialise in Early Years Education, and the modules you will cover include:

  • 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

These units are assessed through practical assignments. 

The qualification is dependent on you achieving a total of 750 work placement hours (365 hours in Year 1, and 385 in Year 2).

While on placement, you will need to prepare activities and deliver them to children.

Students who pass all the elements of their T Level will get a nationally recognised certificate showing an overall grade of pass, merit or distinction.

It will also set out the details of what students have achieved on the course.

The T Level certificate will include:

  • An overall pass grade for the T Level, shown as pass, merit or distinction
  • A separate grade for the occupational specialism, shown as pass, merit or distinction
  • A separate grade for the core component, using A* to E
  • Grades for maths and English qualifications
  • Details of the industry placement