Level 3
Early Years Educator, T Level
Level 3
Early Years Educator, T Level
If you’re passionate about supporting young children as they learn, play, and grow, the Early Years Educator T Level gives you the perfect mix of classroom learning and real industry experience. Designed with employers, this programme prepares you for skilled work in nurseries, preschools, and early years settings – while also keeping university pathways wide open.
Across two years, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to become a highly effective early years professional, supported by extensive placement experience built into the course.
Course Overview
The Early Years Educator T Level combines 80% classroom learning with a substantial industry placement that lets you apply your skills directly in a professional early years environment. This programme is ideal if you want to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives while working towards a nationally recognised qualification approved by employers.
You’ll learn in a supportive environment with tutors who have years of experience in nurseries, primary schools, and childcare leadership. You will explore child development, safeguarding, behaviour support, play-based learning, and best practice in early years education – building your knowledge step by step.
At our Knightstone Campus, the education and early years department boasts outstanding, sector-specific facilities, including a fully equipped community room, bright modern classrooms, two industry-style training rooms, and a unique bubble room designed for hands-on messy play activities.
You’ll join our Career Excellence Hub, where strong employer partnerships and a wealth of practice-based opportunities - including high-quality placements and inspiring guest speakers – will help you gain the skills, confidence, and professional knowledge you need to excel in your childcare career.
T Levels offer a high-quality technical alternative to A Levels. Developed in collaboration with employers, they ensure that students gain the precise knowledge and skills the industry is looking for. Each T Level is equivalent to three A Levels, demonstrating the depth and thoroughness of the qualification.
What will I study?
Throughout the T Level, you will cover core content plus specialist early years knowledge, including:
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Child development and early education
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Observation, assessment, and planning
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Safeguarding, health, and wellbeing
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Equality, diversity, and inclusive practice
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Supporting play, creativity, and early learning
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Working with parents, carers, and multi-agency professionals
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Special educational needs and disability (SEND)
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Behaviour support and positive relationships
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Professional practice, values, and ethics
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Understanding the early years curriculum and frameworks
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Supporting and promoting children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development
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Planning and leading activities
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Providing responsive care to meet children’s needs
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Ensuring children are safe, secure, and well supported
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Working effectively in early years settings as part of a professional team
How will I be assessed?
Your final grade will be based on:
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A core exam
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An employer-set project
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Practical assessments during placement
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Occupational specialism assessments evaluating your professional skills
Assessment focuses on real-world ability – ensuring you’re fully prepared for the demands of early years settings.
Additional Information
Throughout your course, you will benefit from:
Membership of our Career Excellence Hub
An industry placement in nurseries, preschools, or schools
Strong links with early years employers and support from placement coordinators
Employer-led workshops, guest speakers, and enrichment
Opportunities to gain additional sector-relevant skills
Trips, visits, and real-world projects, including a European residential trip
Support with university applications or employment routes
Entry requirements
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9–4, including English and maths
A successful DBS check
A genuine interest in working with young children in a professional setting
What can I do after this course?
After completing the T Level, you can go work towards a career as a qualified Early Years Educator, Nursery practitioner or Preschool assistant.
You can also progress onto higher education studies, including:
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Early Childhood Studies
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Primary Education
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Child Psychology
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Special Educational Needs
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Education Studies
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Or move into related roles such as:
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Family support worker
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Play therapist assistant
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SEN support practitioner
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The T Level also supports progression into apprenticeships, including:
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Early Years Lead Practitioner
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Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
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Primary Teaching Apprenticeship (graduate level pathway)
What do I do now?
Ready to apply? – Please use the ‘apply now’ button on this page. From here you’ll be taken through to our application portal.
What to learn more? – Visit and see the facilities and chat to staff by (signing up for our next open event)[https://www.weston.ac.uk/open-evening]
Have a quick question? – Use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.
