T Level: Early Years Educator

The Early Years Educator qualification is designed to thoroughly prepare learners for a fulfilling career in the early years sector, working with children from birth to 7 years old. This qualification not only offers a license to practice within the industry but also serves as a direct pathway to higher education, such as university courses in early childhood education or related fields.

Key Aspects of the Qualification:

•            License to Practice: Upon completing the T-Level, learners will be fully qualified as early years educators, enabling them to work directly with young children in nurseries, pre-schools, and other early childhood settings.
•            University Pathway: The qualification provides a direct route to university, should learners wish to further their education in fields like teaching, child development, or other education-related disciplines.

Skills Development through Placement:

Through hands-on experience in a real-world setting, learners will gain a wide range of employability skills, which are vital for success in the sector. Key skills include:

•           Timekeeping and Teamwork: Understanding the importance of punctuality and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
•           Organisational Skills: Managing daily tasks and responsibilities efficiently.
•            Planning and Delivering Activities: Creating and executing activities that align with the curriculum, tailored to the developmental needs of the children.
•            Record Keeping and Assessment: Tracking children’s development and maintaining accurate records on individual profiles, ensuring progress is monitored effectively.
•            Partnership Working: Collaborating with other staff members, parents/carers, and external agencies to provide holistic care and development for children.
•            Safeguarding: Developing a deep understanding of safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing at all times.

This combination of academic learning and practical experience equips learners with both the technical knowledge and the hands-on skills needed to succeed as early years educators, making them highly employable in a rapidly growing field.

Year 1:

• Core: Knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts and theories of the education and childcare sector 0 –19 years.
• Employer set project: where you will apply your knowledge to a real-life industry scenario.
• High quality Industry placement – 375 hours.

Year 2

• Occupational Specialism – where you will further explore and develop skills and knowledge required to become a qualified Early Years Educator.
• Continuation of your industry placement – 375 hours.

This course has a strong track record of supporting students to secure employment in the early years sector, with many finding jobs locally within just a few months of completing their studies, and some even securing roles before they leave college. This success is largely due to our excellent working relationships with placement providers, ensuring that learners gain practical, real-world experience that leads directly to employment.

Benefits of the course:

•            Expert Tutors: Learn from tutors who have extensive experience in the early years sector. Our teaching staff possess specialist qualifications and deep knowledge of the field, bringing invaluable insights and industry relevance to their teaching.
•            Regular Work Placements: As part of the course, students participate in regular work placements to enhance their skills, providing hands-on experience in various settings, such as nurseries, schools, and childminding services. These placements are crucial for building employability skills and confidence.
•            Cross-College Events: Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of cross-college events, where they can engage with other learners, share experiences, and develop further skills in a collaborative environment.
•            Guest Speakers: We regularly host guest speaker sessions featuring experts from different areas of the early years sector. These sessions include representatives from children’s services, day nurseries, primary and special schools, children’s centres, and other related fields, offering students valuable insights and industry connections.
•            Strong Links with early years settings: Our course has well-established connections with various early years settings, including nurseries, primary schools, childcare facilities, children’s centres, childminders, special schools, and even a local children’s hospital. These partnerships provide diverse opportunities for students to gain experience in different environments, helping them to find the right career path within the sector.

This comprehensive approach ensures that learners are well-prepared for the workforce, equipped with both the knowledge and practical skills required for a successful career in early years and education.

5 GCSE’s at grade 4+ including English language and maths. A clear enhanced DBS check. Successful interview with a course tutor and a character reference.

You can apply using our online application form and clicking the Apply button at the top of this page.

For more information support with your enquiry or application please contact Student Services by emailing contact@nnc.ac.uk or by calling 01909 504500.

Upon completing this course, you will have the option to continue your education and pursue further qualifications in a range of rewarding professions, such as:

?        Teacher: Specialise in Early Years or primary education and shape young learners’ futures.

?        Social Worker: Support families and children in need, ensuring their safety and well-being.

?        NHS Play Therapist: Help children work through emotional and psychological challenges using therapeutic play.

?        Speech and Language Therapist: Assist children with communication difficulties, improving their speech and language development.

This course provides a direct route to university, giving you the foundation needed to explore these career paths and further your professional journey in related fields.