NCFE T-Level in Education and Early Years Level 3
OVERVIEW
A T Level is a full-time, two-year technical study programme designed to prepare young people for skilled employment, higher-level apprenticeships, or Higher Education (HE).
Students on the T Level in Education and Early Years (Early Years Educator occupational specialism) will typically spend three days per week in college and two days per week in a real industry placement, combining in-depth classroom learning with valuable hands-on experience in a professional setting.
The qualification consists of two key components:
- The core component, delivered in the first year, provides a high-level foundation of knowledge and skills relevant to all occupational specialisms within the sector.
- The occupational specialism component, delivered in the second year, focuses specifically on Early Years Education. It develops the knowledge, understanding, skills, and behaviours required for competence in a childcare or early years setting.
As part of the programme, all students must complete a minimum of 750 hours in an industry placement. These placements are essential for gaining the practical experience and professional standards required to work effectively in Early Years settings — something that cannot be achieved through classroom study alone.
Students who successfully complete the programme, including the Early Years Educator occupational specialism, may be counted within the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) staff:child ratios.
5 GCSE’s grade 4 and above, including Maths and English.
To be awarded the T level qualification, learners are required to successfully complete all core components and specialist early years educator components.
Core Elements are…
- Wider education sector
- Supporting education
- Safeguarding, equality and diversity and wellbeing
- Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Child development
- Working in partnership
- Professional practice
Early Years Educator specialist components…
- 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
The course will be taught through lessons and practical sessions. The learner will also be observed regularly whilst on placement by their T Level assessor.
How is the T-Level assessed?
The core component is 100% externally assessed.
External assessments are set and marked by NCFE. The external examinations and ESP will assess students’ core knowledge, core understanding and core skills relevant to the occupations within the education and childcare TQ.
The occupational specialism components are also externally assessed through assignments, except for the observation element, which is internally marked by providers and externally moderated by NCFE.
The assessment consists of one written examination 2.5 hours in length, an Externally Set Project and Synoptic assignments.
How will this help me with future studies and progression?
The T Level TQ in Education and Childcare (Early Years Educator) enables learners to access Higher Education. Alternatively, learners can progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors.
Possible job roles include:
- Early Years Educator
- Practitioner in day nurseries
- Practitioner in nursery schools
- Practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
- Pre-school worker
- Home-based child carer (e.g. childminder)
- Nanny
The T Level qualification is recognised by employers and universities alike and offers a direct pathway into the early years and education sector.
While completing this qualification, learners may develop the knowledge, understanding and essential skills employers look for in their employees. These range from familiar skills, such as team working, independent learning, problem solving, using your own initiative and other expected work practices, such as:
- Exemplary attendance and punctuality (95-100%)
- Appropriate behaviour, including non-use of mobile phones in class and at placement
- Appropriate dress in the workplace, including always wearing identity lanyards
- Respectfully communicating with placement and college staff and peers
- Supporting others; children in placement and others in college
- Personal good manners and self-presentation
- Understanding work practices and how internal and external roles function within a school and college organisation
Alternative Progression Route
For learners who do not yet meet the entry requirements for the T Level, there may be the opportunity to enrol on the
Level 2 Working with Children in Early Years and Primary Settings course. This can serve as a valuable stepping stone into further study or employment in the childcare sector.
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