T Level Education and Childcare (Early Years Pathway)
This T Level is an engaging and dynamic course and provides you with a holistic understanding of how children aged 0-19 years grow, learn and develop, leading to an occupational specialism in Early Years Education and Childcare or Assisting Teaching.
Why Choose This Course?
A T Level in Childcare and Education will provide you with an inspiring curriculum that will offer you the academic knowledge and occupational competency required for a rewarding and exciting career in Early Years and Education. Working alongside children, whether it be in Early Years or Primary Education is a rewarding role and you will develop your skills to provide a safe and stimulating environment which enables children to reach their full potential. If you are passionate about working alongside children and are committed to a two-year programme in order to develop your skillset, then this T Level is for you.
The course offers a range of topics that embed your core knowledge before applying and expanding this to your occupational specialism of either Early Years Education and Childcare or Assisting Teaching. Both specialisms offer emphasis on the importance of work-based competency, and this will be a central feature of your assessments throughout your study. The T Level offers opportunities for you to learn through a variety of student-centred approaches, including lectures, practical sessions, workplace observations and tasks and external assessments. You will be expected to keep up to date with the current changes in the Early Years and Education sector in line with government policy.
You will have the opportunity to work with children of a variety of ages and stages of development, that is relevant to your occupational specialism. This ensures you gain the breadth of practice and experience to successfully apply your knowledge and expand your skillset. Placements could include Primary Schools, Nurseries, Pre-Schools, Childminders and Special schools for children with additional needs.
Apply for this course
Start date: 08/09/2025
TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Practical Course
Work Placements
Develop Subject Specialisms
Transferable Skills
Learn from sector experts
You will be taught by staff with extensive experience who will advance your knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of the childcare and education sector.
Subject Specific Specialisms
A T Level in Education and Childcare provides you with a broad vocational approach to work alongside children, offering you a subject specific occupational specialism as you progress into year 2 of your course.
Apply Theory to Practice
One of the great strengths of the T Level is the integration of theory and practice as this qualification emphasises the importance of competency within practice. Therefore, you have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt at college to your experiences within your industry placements.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Year 1: Core Knowledge
- Exploring sector provision for Education and Childcare
- Child Development, Behaviour and English as an Additional Language
- Approaches to learning for positive outcomes in Education and Childcare for Children and Young People
- Professional Practice for Education and Childcare
- Working with others in Education and Childcare
Year 2: Occupational Specialism
- Early Years Educator
- Assisting Teaching
You will also have opportunity to engage in enrichment opportunities to enhance your knowledge and practice. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Paediatric First Aid
- Safeguarding
- Forest and Beach School Training
- Reading Recovery Mentoring
- Training sessions with a variety of sector experts
WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?
There are a wide range of progression opportunities available upon completion of the T Level. As the T Level is vocational and assesses your occupational competency, you can enter the employment sector or progress to Higher Education. Alternatively, you could secure an Apprenticeship working in the education sector.
Depending upon your occupational specialism, you can enter the Early Years Sector as an Early Years Educator, Childminder or Private Nanny or gain employment as a Teaching Assistant within a mainstream school, specialist school or private school, work within the Family Support area and much more.
The T Level has a balance of academic and vocational requirements, providing learners with UCAS points that they can take forward into Higher Education. Progression routes can include, but are not limited to, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, BEd in Early Years or Primary Education, BA (Hons) Education, BSc Speech and Language Therapy, in addition to programmes with Initial Teacher Training Opportunities embedded.
Truro and Penwith College also provides the opportunity to continue your studies onto our Foundation Degree in Children and Young People’s Workforce or Childhood Education. Additionally, you can progress as far as level 7 on campus, including teacher training programmes.
Assessment Arrangements
At the end of your Core Year, you will be assessed via 2 exam papers and an Employer Set Project. Throughout the year, you will also have informative assessments to support you with this. This will aid your time management, organisational and research skills which will contribute to effective practice when working within the Early Years and Education sector.
During year 2, your competency within industry will be assessed in practice through expert witness testimonies and observations. You will also have two timed, written assignments.
Entry Requirements
To study a T Level in Childcare and Education, you need to demonstrate your commitment to your two-year programme of study and have a thirst for working alongside children. Additionally, we require you to have four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. This must include English Language, Maths, Science and one other GCSE at a minimum of Grade 4.
You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance check.
Information & Support
Working within the Student Services area, the Student Support team and your tutor will see you on a one-to-one basis and offer advice and guidance on financial and personal issues careers advice and guidance and much more. A professional team of staff work together with your personal tutor to support you so that you can successfully complete your course and recognise pathways to progression after leaving College.
Meet the staff, tour the campus and find out about life as a student at one of the best colleges in the country.
What you could earn
Potential Salary
£54,765
Entry Level Salary
£19,994
Average Salary
£39,807
Annual openings in Cornwall
75
Potential Salary
£65,663
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£13,383
Average Salary
£38,712
Annual openings in Cornwall
35
Potential Salary
£45,211
Entry Level Salary
£11,460
Average Salary
£29,095
Annual openings in Cornwall
15
Potential Salary
£62,479
Entry Level Salary
£12,604
Average Salary
£20,852
Annual openings in Cornwall
9
Potential Salary
£61,108
Entry Level Salary
£18,600
Average Salary
£29,243
Annual openings in Cornwall
7
Potential Salary
£42,920
Entry Level Salary
£12,727
Average Salary
£21,260
Annual openings in Cornwall
7
Potential Salary
£33,522
Entry Level Salary
£5,579
Average Salary
£17,456
Annual openings in Cornwall
12
Potential Salary
£20,483
Entry Level Salary
£6,630
Average Salary
£14,276
Annual openings in Cornwall
