Course details may be subject to change.
This two-year T-Level in Education & Childcare has been developed in collaboration with employers to ensure the content meets the needs of the industry and will prepare you for the workplace.
This T-Level focuses on children and young people, from birth to 19 years, with the opportunity to specialise as an Early Years Educator or Assistant Teacher.
During the first year, you will cover all aspects of working in the education and childcare sector. Some of the elements you will explore are special educational needs, behaviour management, child development, safeguarding, English as a second language, equality and diversity and career opportunities within the sector. This is all underpinned by developing a “reflective practitioner” approach.
The second year is when you will choose a specialist pathway within Early Years or Assisting Teaching.
Entry Criteria
You will hold five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including maths and English.
You will need a clear DBS so that you can complete the industry placement.
What are the next steps?
You will meet with a course tutor, be given details of the programmes available and have the opportunity to see the classrooms in which you will study.
This will be an opportunity to discuss your interest in the sector and any previous experience. If you have any reports or references from work experience within the sector please bring these with you.
Study Aims
This T-Level qualification is for you if you want to start a career in Education & Childcare.
The course is designed for post-16 students and is an ideal qualification if you are intending to progress directly to employment within the industry, to an apprenticeship or to higher education.
Modules Studied
Year 1:
- Wider Context
- Supporting Education
- Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Wellbeing
- Behaviour
- Parents, Families and Carers
- Working with Others
- Child Development
- Observation and Assessment
- Reflective Practice
- Equality and Diversity
- Special Educational Needs and Disability
- English as an Additional Language.
Year 2: Early Years Educator pathway:
- 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.
Assisting Teaching pathway:
- Support the class Teacher to enhance children’s education, individually and in groups
- Plan, provide and review educational opportunities in collaboration with Teachers and other adults
- Safeguard and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- Recognise, adapt and respond to individual children’s needs, including those with SEND, to support development and access to the curriculum.
Teaching and Assessment
At the end of the first and second year, you will complete assessments that will contribute to your overall final grade. This will include to exams and an employer-set project, which is externally marked by Cache.
You will complete regular formative assessments to prepare – they will be marked internally and you will receive feedback.
Industry Links
New College Durham currently works with around 150 employers within the sector in a range of settings in both the private and voluntary sector.
We have employer input into our curriculum, such as Selby Cottage Children’s Centre, who provided a thorough analysis of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to work within the sector.
Placement
You will need to obtain a clear DBS so that you can complete the mandatory placement elements.
You will complete two days per week in an Education & Childcare setting and work with children and young people across a range of ages.
You will be assessed in placement to ensure you complete the competency-based elements of the programme, such as being able to prepare age and stage appropriate activities for the children.
This qualification focuses on the development of knowledge and skills needed to work as an Assistant Teacher or an Early Years Educator.
You could progress to study a relevant degree level course at New College Durham or university.
