T Level in Education and Early Years


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 2 Years
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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The T Level qualification is an exciting, brand new two year full-time course which has been designed in partnership with businesses and employers.

It’s aim is to give you the knowledge and skills to support you move into a career in early years and childcare or schools.

As a college we are committed to ensuring you are ahead of the jobs market when you leave us and we will provide the knowledge and skills needed when working under supervision with children and young people through a minimum 750 hours of industry placement.

You will undertake a high quality, structured and outcomes-focused industry placement which is an integral part of this T Level programme.

The industry placement will be aligned to your career aspirations identified in your career plan which will be 750 hours and could include up to two employers.

High quality industry placements have clear role descriptions from employers in advance of the placement taking place which you will undertake an interview prior to starting your placement.

Your placement will provide you with an opportunity to contribute to the organisation, develop a breadth of new skills to provide you with a valuable opportunity to personally progress towards your career goals.

During the theory and knowledge element of your course, you will gain an understanding of all aspects of a role as an early years educator or assisting teaching depending on the specialism you choose.

You will learn and develop your skills by using a range of exciting and innovative teaching and learning methods including:

  • projects
  • presentations
  • displays
  • innovative use of VR.

Required Entry Qualifications

Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above in English, maths and science.

You will also need to complete a DBS check which we will organise for you.

You’ll be assessed in a range of ways, including:

  • Written examination which is externally marked
  • Employer set project which is externally marked
  • Occupational Assessments
  • A range of assessments that blend the knowledge and skills outcomes into practical assignments.
  • Project work
  • Hands on experience
  • Google expeditions
  • Augmented reality
  • Group work
  • Child observation
  • Activity planners
  • Professional discussions

Your study programme will be delivered by teachers who are passionate about the subject area and are at the top of their game.

All teachers maintain their industry knowledge and skills by returning to practice at least once per year.

Several sit on the early years professional exchange and some are also Governors in local schools.

We have excellent links with a range of high quality work experience placements in the field of early years and schools and as part of your programme you will gain real ‘hands-on’ experience in our virtual learning environment prior to undertaking a work placement. 

Once in a work placement, you will work alongside professionals in your field and develop practical skills that you will relate to learning in the classroom.

Your work placement will take place in a range of settings such as Forest Schools or Beach Schools including with different age ranges of children including nurseries, day nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools.

You will undertake extensive placement of 750 hours which will include 2 days a week release and block release weeks.

For your placement you will need to have a uniform sensible shoes and black trousers.

You’ll also need one course textbook and a range of stationary.

Financial support is available to cover these costs for those who meet the eligibity criteria.

Once you have completed the full 2 year technical qualification you will be supported to apply to university, apply for jobs within industry or an apprenticeship route.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026