Skip to the main content
Go to the search page

Key details

Course areas
Early Years and EducationT Levels
Student type
16 - 18 courses
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
Basford 664 Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AQ
Course code
Parent course code:C042200 Child course code: Q042201
Apply now

Course introduction

A T Level is a nationally-recognised qualification that gives you a new choice to consider after GCSEs and are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses and includes a minimum of 750 hours working with an employer on an industry placement.

During the 2-year programme, you will learn the core knowledge and skills that are needed for entry to a range of education and childcare occupations. This course is suitable for anyone wanting a career in early years education, childcare or assisting teaching.

Modules include:

  • 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

In addition to the core content, you will study the following specialism:

  • Early years educator

You will attend work placement for 2 days a week, every week, with children under 5 years old. This can be a school nursery or a private day nursery. In total, you will undertake 750 hours of work placement which will be completed over the 2 years. 

Course information

2 years

NCFE T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years

You will need 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, including English Language and Maths.

You will have the chance to show how much you have learned via:

  • Written examination
  • Employer-set project
  • Assignments
  • Observation in placement
  • Course work

Students can progress into roles such as:

  • Nursery worker
  • Teaching assistant
  • Learning mentor
  • Special educational needs teaching assistant
  • Playworker
  • Portage home visitor

Students can also use this T Level to do a related higher-level apprenticeship or go on to further study at university.

 

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Beth on Early Years
Ella on Early Years

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Early Education and Childcare Assistants

Potential Earnings

£27,401.28

Average Earnings

£18,353.98

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Health, Social and Child Care Services

People in these occupations provide care and support services for children, healthcare patients, and the elderly, and administrate social programmes.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

Education and Care of Young Children (Entry Level Foundation Certificate) (16-18) - Full-time

Introduction to Caring for Children (Level 1) - Full-time