What is Education and Early Years?
The T Level in Education and Early Years is an exciting two-year course for students who want to make a difference in children’s lives. You’ll combine classroom learning with a real industry placement, gaining hands-on experience and valuable professional skills. This qualification is respected because it produces students who are career-ready, confident and prepared for progression into education, childcare, health or higher education.
Why study Education and Early Years?
The T Level in Education and Early Years prepares students for real careers where they can make a genuine difference to children’s development and futures. It develops valuable transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, observation and professionalism. The combination of academic study and a substantial industry placement makes students stand out to universities and employers, as it shows both strong subject knowledge and real-world experience.
Is Education and Early Years right for you?
The ideal T Level Education and Early Years student is someone who is interested in how children learn and develop. They are caring, patient, organised and good communicators, with a willingness to work as part of a team and act professionally. An interest in subjects such as Health and Social Care, Psychology, Sociology or Child Development can be helpful, along with any experience of working with children through volunteering, babysitting or work experience.
What will you study?
Year 1: the core
An external exam and an employer set project, taught in seven elements: the wider education sector, supporting education, safeguarding, equality, diversity and wellbeing, special educational needs and disabilities, child development, working in partnership, and professional practice
Year 2: the occupational specialism
Controlled assessments and tasks within placement, taught as five performance outcomes: support and promote children’s play, development and early education; develop relationships with children; plan, provide and review care, play and educational opportunities; safeguard and promote children’s health, safety and wellbeing; work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals
What happens outside lessons?
Students studying the T Level in Education and Early Years benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities to enhance their learning. These may include visits to nurseries, primary schools and early years settings, guest speakers from education, childcare and SEND professions, and workshops on safeguarding or child development. Students may also take part in competitions, careers events, university visits and skills-building activities such as CV writing and interview preparation. Strong industry links through the placement allow students to build professional networks, while enrichment activities such as volunteering, peer mentoring or education-focused clubs further develop confidence and employability skills.
“I have found a course I enjoy! It is interesting as I work with everyone else. The class is small, so I get extra support.”
Where can Education and Early Years take you?
Students may progress into roles such as early years practitioner, teaching assistant, learning support assistant, nursery practitioner or pastoral support worker. The qualification can also lead to careers in areas such as special educational needs (SEND), educational Psychology, social work, speech and language therapy, and family support. It also provides a strong pathway into university courses leading to careers in teaching, childcare, education leadership and child development
What subjects go well with Education and Early Years?
You do not need to take any other options as T Level Education and Early Years is worth 3 A levels.