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    T Level Early Years Education and Childcare

    About the course

    This Level 3 qualification in Education and Childcare will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher level technical training or study in the education and childcare sector.

    Entry requirements

    5 GCSEs grades 4 - 9 or equivalent including English and maths at at least grade 4

    How much does it cost?

    Free to those aged 16-18. If you are aged 19+ you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

    There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including: Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries and employer support.

    Awarding Body

    NCFE

    Why study?

    T Levels are new two-year, Level 3 study programme that will offer an attractive alternative to A Levels and Apprenticeships. T Levels will combine classroom theory, practical learning and a minimum 315 hours of industry placement with an employer to make sure students have real experience of the workplace. 

    The Level 3 Technical Qualification (TQ) in Education and Childcare has 2 components:  

    1 Core Component 

    The Core Component provides a high-level foundation of knowledge and skills that are relevant to all Occupational Specialisms.

    2 Occupational Specialism Component

    The Occupational Specialism Component covers the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours required to achieve threshold competence in the Occupational Specialism.

    As part of achieving the overall T Level programme, students are required to complete a minimum of 750 hours industry placement.

    Where will this course take me?

    Students who achieve this qualification could progress to the following, depending on their chosen Occupational Specialism: 

    Employment

    • Early Years Practitioner 
    • Early Years Educator 
    • Education Technician 
    • Primary/Secondary/Tertiary Teaching and Support Assistant 

    Higher education 

    Apprenticeship (progression onto lower level apprenticeships may also be possible in some circumstances, if the content is sufficiently different).

    Core modules

    Core Components:

    • Wider Context
    • Supporting Education
    • Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Well-being
    • Behaviour
    • Parents, Families and Carers
    • Working with Others
    • Child Development
    • Observation and Assessment
    • Reflective Practice
    • Equality and Diversity
    • Special Educational Needs and Disability
    • English as an Additional Language

    Occupational Specialism Component: 

    ï Support and promote children’s play, development and early education 

    ï Develop relationships with children to facilitate their development 

    ï Plan, provide and review care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress 

    ï Safeguard and promote the health, safety and well-being of children 

    ï Work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development

    How will I be assessed?

    The assessment consists of: 

    Core Component: 

    • paper A written examination 
    • paper B written examination 
    • employer-set project

    Occupational Specialism Component: 

    • assignments

    I'm interested. What should I do now?

    Call 01279 868100 and talk to an Admissions Adviser
    Ask Us a question about this course
    apply

    T Levels Q&A

    WHAT ARE T LEVELS?

    T Levels are new technical courses which will follow GCSEs and will be equivalent to 3 A Levels. They are Level 3 course that span approximately 1800 hours over 2 years. These courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work.

    T Levels will offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). They will provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door into skilled employment, further study or an apprenticeship.

    WHEN WILL T LEVELS START?

    Harlow College will offer T Levels starting in the 2021/22 academic year, initially in the following areas:

    • creative and digital
    • construction
    • childcare and education
    • health and science

    WHO ARE THEY FOR?

    T Levels are ideal for learners who are looking for a more technical route into skilled employment, further study or an apprenticeship.

    T Levels are a technical alternative to A Levels and prepare learners for technical careers.

    STRUCTURE OF A T LEVEL

    T Levels will include the following compulsory elements:

    • a technical qualification, which will include core theory, concepts and skills for an industry area and specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career
    • an industry placement with an employer
    • a minimum standard in maths and English if learners have not already achieved them

    T LEVELS AND INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

    T Levels include 315 hours (approximately 45 days) of industry placement with an employer. Around 80% of time will be spent in the classroom and 20% on placement. This differs to an Apprenticeship, which is typically 80% in the workplace and 20% in the classroom.

    Industry placements can be undertaken as a block, as individual days, or a combination of the two.

    T Levels Video