College 16+

Early Years, T Levels

T Level Early Years Educator

Share page:

desktop cover image
banner image

Studying a T Level in Education and Childcare (Early Years Education and Childcare) will prepare you for an exciting career within the education sector.

Designed by employers, a T Level combines practical and theoretical learning experiences, with real-life industry experience. It also supports progression on to university, into employment or on to a higher/degree apprenticeship.

More information

The course will start in September and will take two years to complete.

This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.

This Technical T Level qualification will be delivered over two years and is made up of core components and occupational specialisms. This allows you the opportunity to delve deeper into your chosen subject and develop skills and practices centered around your interests and career ambitions.

During the course, students are required to complete a total of 750 placement hours gaining work experience with children from 0-7 years. You will achieve this by attending College 3 days per week and a school nursery/reception class or private day nursery 2 days per week. Our placement officer will help support you in finding your work placement.

Core Components (First Year):

  • Understanding 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

Occupational Specialisms (Second Year):

  1. Support and promote children’s play, development and early education
  2. Develop relationships with children to facilitate their development
  3. Plan, provide and review care, play and education opportunities to enable children to progress
  4. Safeguard and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children
  5. Work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development

The course is assessed by an externally set written exam, an employer set task and an externally assessed synoptic assessment that covers the occupational specialism.

You should have 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language and maths and a clear DBS.

If you are a school leaver, aged 16-18, (under the age of 19 on or before 31st August 2025), you do not pay tuition fees or examination and registration fees and may be eligible for additional support depending on your financial situation. For more information, please visit our dedicated financial support page.

Having achieved the equivalent to three A levels, you could progress on to university including FdA Early Years Practice at University Centre St Helens, a higher/degree apprenticeship or employment.

You could progress into a range of careers, including:

  • Special educational needs teaching assistant
  • Teaching assistant
  • Learning mentor
  • Nursery worker
  • Playworker
lda-hide-empty
lda-hide-empty
lda-hide-empty
lda-hide-empty
lda-hide-empty
lda-hide-empty
 

Connecting Classroom to Career

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore.

Veterinary Nurse

£18k - £26k

Pet Behaviour Counsellor

£15k - £50k

bullet icon

Zoologist

£18k - £48k

RSPCA Inspector

£19k - £30k

Animal Care Worker

£14k - £24k

bullet icon

Dog Groomer

£13k - £20k

Events & Open Days

Picture of one of our students at our last graduation ceremony
23
Nov

University Centre St Helens Graduation Ceremony 2024

Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our higher education students at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony.
Picture of our student wit their creation
12
Mar

Year 10 and 11 Open Event

If you are currently in Year 10 or 11, or aged 16-18 and thinking about your next steps...

SEARCH OUR WEBSITE