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T Level in Early Years Education and Child Care

Start Date

Fri Sep 10 2021

Day / Time

Duration

2 years

Campus

Baltic Campus

T Level in Early Years Education and Child Care

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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 that is aimed 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 placements which is an integral part of the new 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 and innovative use of VR bringing your curriculum experience alive.

Assessment

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

The teaching team

Your study programme will be delivered by teachers who are vocationally competent and passionate about the subject area. Teachers that have been undergoing extensive training with the Education and Training Foundation to be 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 year’s professional exchange and some are also Governors in local schools. Across the team there is a diverse range of skills and knowledge. All the team have varied hobbies and interest which they will often share with students. Come along to one of our taster sessions where you can meet the whole team and experience what it is like to be a Gateshead college student.

Work Experience & Employer Partners

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.

Facilities, kit and equipment

You are required to purchase the following kit; you will need a uniform to wear in placement, sensible shoes and black trousers for placement, one course textbook and a range of stationary. Many students receive support with the kit required.

Next Steps

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.

Required Entry Qualifications

5 GCSEs grade 5 or above in English, Maths and Science.

You will also need to complete a DBS application as you will be working with children and young people, the college pays for your DBS in most cases.

Other entry requirements

This course requires you to undertake an interview during which, applications will be considered on an individual basis. You are also required to attend a keeping warm event.

What are people saying about this course?

Receiving some really positive feedback from employers about our students out on industry placement is not unusual for us at Gateshead College. One employer who interviewed a Level 3 early years students for an industry placement had this to say: “Abigail was really confident, produced & delivered a really high quality presentation. Abigail not only raised some really good points in her presentation but she also elaborated on them. The team leader would love to offer Abigail a work placement and she will become her mentor whilst in placement”.