Early Years and Education - T Level - Level 3

Through studying this T Level qualification you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to progress in skilled employment or higher education. You will focus on the study of education and childcare, with the course offering breadth and depth of study, by incorporating a key core of knowledge with opportunities for you to acquire several practice and technical skills. For 80% of the course you will be at college focusing on academic and technical study, whilst 20% will be invaluable practical experience gained with an employer as part of an industry placement.

The level 3 technical qualification in Education and Childcare has 2 components:

Core knowledge and understanding covers the core knowledge, understanding and skills relevant Education and Childcare. Such as:

• Behaviour
• Child Development
• Equality and Diversity
• Parents, families and carers
• Safeguarding, health and safety and wellbeing

Occupational specialism covers the knowledge, understanding skills and behaviours that is required to achieve competency. This will focus on early years education and childcare.

• 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

As part of this T Level programme you are required to complete an industry work placement in an Early Years setting where you will gain hands on experience in working within the sector, allowing you to put theory into practice and apply the knowledge that has been gained.

Industry placement

A big part of your study will be to complete relevant industry-based work placement. Throughout the course, you'll be required to complete a minimum of 45 days (315 hours) work placement. You'll also get the opportunity to show us what you've learned and demonstrate your abilities during numerous observations through the course. Work placement is a great opportunity to get your feet wet in your chosen specialism and help confirm that this is the career you want to do!

You will need:

• 5 or more GCSEs grade 4 or above including English Language, maths and a positive DBS
• Students who are interested in progression into teaching should also have a GCSE grade 4 or above in science

Or

• Level 2 Childcare course at Merit or Distinction and English Language and maths GCSE grade 4 or above

And

• An information session to identify suitability of the course

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

01/09/2025

What can I do after this course at CWA?

T Levels have been designed with leading employers and businesses. They will provide you with the skills to progress to an apprenticeship, university or skilled employment.

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

What qualification will I achieve?

T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (Level 3) (delivered by NCFE) (qualification aim: 60358294)

What will you learn on this course?

Core Knowledge and understanding in Childcare: will investigate the range of job roles and organisations in the sector. The core content focuses on students knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts, theories and principles for child development and care.

Occupational specialist knowledge and skills: Students will develop understanding of childcare and child development from birth-7years. Students will learn how to identify and check development patterns and how to plan and provide educational play to encourage progress and learning.

Project management skills: research and problem solving, working with others, communication, evaluation. Students will demonstrate they can communicate information clearly to engaged children, work with others to plan and provide stimulating activities and use formative and summative assessment to track childrens developmental progress.

Develop Practical skills through Industry placement 750 hours across two years in the different age ranges.

English, maths and digital skills relevant to the health sector

T Levels are equivalent to three A Levels and are allocated UCAS tariff points

How is my course assessed?

Core Skills will be assessed through externally assessed tests and an employer set-project. Technical skills will be assessed through work-placement observations and Synoptic assessment of performance.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

The number of UCAS tariff points for a T Level diploma varies between 72 and 168 points, depending on your grade for the core content and the specialism. We've included some examples below of what grades you need to achieve common UCAS tariff point entry requirements:

You can find more details on the UCAS Tariff points calculator here.