Childhood Education (Early Years Education; Assisting Teaching)

What's it all about?

Do you want a rewarding career in childcare and education? Gain the knowledge, behaviours and skills you need to be a successful childcare or education practitioner covering key areas such as child development, safeguarding, and supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

In addition to core knowledge, you will choose between the following occupational specialisms:

• early years education and childcare.

• assisting teaching.

T Levels are a brand-new qualification designed to give you a head start towards the future you want. They follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels.

This two-year T Level qualification brings classroom and work placement together on a course designed with employers and businesses.

You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement to give you the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.

Your T Level will help you to step straight into your chosen career, an Apprenticeship or a degree.

Course information

Course content

You will develop an understanding of:

• the education and childcare sector from ages 0 to 19

• child development

• how to support children and young people’s education

• safeguarding, health and safety and wellbeing

• understanding and managing behaviour

• observing and assessing children and young people

• equality and diversity

• special educational needs and disability

• English as an additional language

• working with parents, carers and wider families

• working with agencies and services that support children, families and carers

• reflective practice and other forms of professional development.

You will choose between the following occupational specialisms:

Early Years Educator:

You will develop an understanding of:

• supporting and promoting children’s play, development and early education

• developing relationships with children to facilitate their development

• planning, providing and reviewing care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress

• safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of children

• working in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development.

Assisting Teaching:

You will develop an understanding of:

• supporting the class teacher to enhance children’s education, both one-to-one and in small groups

• planning, providing and reviewing educational opportunities in collaboration with teachers and other adults

• the importance of ongoing assessment and how to respond

• safeguarding and health and safety and wellbeing of children and young people

• recognising, adapting and responding to individual children’s needs, including those with SEND and EAL to ensure all are able to progress.