Early Years – T-Level (Education and Childcare) – Level 3
Start Date: 1st September 2026
- Length 2 years
- Study Full-Time
- Location Carlisle College
Qualification Gained
Level 3 NCFE T-Level qualification in Education and Childcare – Early Years Educator
Levels ExplainedMore about the course
Are you looking to start a career in the childcare industry and want to expand your knowledge and skills? Would you like to work with children and young people? Then this Early Years Educator T-Level could be the course for you. Equivalent to choosing 3 A Levels, the T Level gives you the opportunity to focus on one specific subject.
During your studies you will build your experience in the childcare and early years sector, developing specialist knowledge and skills as you go. You will learn theory and best practice from industry-experienced tutors in our specialist on-campus childcare facilities which simulate conditions within a working nursery.
You will study a range of vital topics, including behaviour, child development and special educational needs and disabilities. You will complete the course with the knowledge and practical skills you need to build an exciting career in education and childcare.
As part of the Early Years Educator T-Level you will spend a minimum of 750 hours on an employer industry placement in a childcare setting, helping you to develop your specialist skills and experience. The time you dedicate to this placement will help you put your skills into practice in a real educational setting.
Entry requirements
- You will require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English, maths and science
- You may also be required to participate in an assessment to ensure suitability ahead of enrolment
Please note that entry requirements and course offer can be subject to change at any time.
What will I achieve?
Upon successful completion of this course, you will achieve an NCFE Level 3 T-Level in Education and Childcare (Early Years Educator)
What will I learn?
- 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
How is the course taught?
- Group work
- Theory sessions
- Work placement
- Employer-set project (ESP)
How am I assessed?
- Written examinations
- Practical observations of children in early years education
- Synoptic assignments (Early Years Educator)
- Employer-set project (ESP)
Work experience opportunities
Work experience is an important part of your T-Level, and you will undertake a substantial industry placement with an employer for a minimum of 750 hours during your course to help you prepare for your next steps.
English and Maths
Maths, English and digital skills are vital to all roles in education and childcare and these are embedded throughout the course to help you prepare for working in the industry.
Where can I progress?
On successful completion of this T-Level you may progress into an apprenticeship or a variety of roles in the education industry, including as an early years practitioner or educator, an education technician, learning mentor or student engagement officer.
Alternatively, you can progress into higher education.
Course Costs
If you are aged 16-18 when you begin your course you are likely to be eligible for free tuition. Detailed information can be found within the financial support section.
Get in touch
Early Years
Gallery
Meet the Care Team
Vicky Johnston
Head of Curriculum for Care ServicesI have been at Carlisle College for 12 years. I started as in Early Years Level 3 course tutor, I then went on to be Quality Manager, Curriculum Team Manager for Health, Care and Services, and am now Head of Curriculum for Care Services. I am also a safeguarding officer for the department and the college's wellbeing ambassador. In industry, I have worked in a variety of roles including a Nanny and Community Nursery Nurse, before going on to own and manage my own nursery for 12 years. I was also an OFSTED inspector in Early Years. I love my job because I can help learners achieve their goals and every day is so different!
Vicky White
Science Tutor within CareI am a Science lecturer within the Care department. I teach on Access to HE Health, Level 3 Health and Social Care, and GCSE Biology. I have worked at the college for 12 years, and have over 15 years of teaching experience, having been a Science teacher since 2009. I have also previously worked in a Microbiology food testing laboratory. One thing I love about my job is getting students to where they need to be.
Jo Knighton
Early Years TutorMy career experience has been within early year settings working with children between the ages of birth – five years old. As a nursery practitioner I enjoyed developing relationships with children and their families, to help support their learning and development, I found this really rewarding. It was a natural progression for me to then move into management, enabling me to lead staff and create a safe, stimulating environment for the children. Academically, I have a BA (Hons), Early Years Professional Status (EYFS) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). As much as I enjoyed working within the industry, I also wanted to be able to pass my knowledge on to our learners and inspire the next generation of practitioners.
Georgina Robinson
Early Years Tutor / AssessorI am an Early Years Tutor/Assessor and have been working at Carlisle College for 18 months. I have experience as a Special Attachment Welfare Assistant, Teaching assistant, Nursery Manager, Yoga Teacher, and Mum! One thing I love about my job is the variety, no two days are the same!
Suzanne Sunderland
Early Years TutorI have been part of Carlisle College for 10 years in a variety of teaching and assessing roles. I currently teach Level 2 and Level 3 Early Years Educator courses. Before working at Carlisle College I had a successful childminding business, was a deputy manager in a private nursery, and was an Early Years adviser for the Local Authority. I am passionate about developing outstanding experiences for young children and their families, to nurture learning and development. Through all my previous experience, I can pass on my knowledge to learners and inspire new practitioners.
Rachel Marshall
Progress Coach and Safeguarding LeadI have worked at the college for 14 years and I currently look after all the support needs for students in the Care department. This includes all safeguarding concerns both in the Care department and across the college. I also look after all of the care experienced/cared for students. One thing I love about my job is supporting the students with their wellbeing.
Mhairi Beattie
Early Years AssessorI've worked at Carlisle College since 2013 teaching and assessing across Early Years and Teaching Assistant courses. I started my Early Years journey as a nanny at home and abroad and also fulfilled roles as a play worker and childminder. I then went on to work as an Early Years NVQ Assessor and delivered vocational pathways in Early Years before coming to Carlisle College. One thing I love about my job is being part of the learner's journey and helping them grow.
Andrew Russell
Maths TutorI have taught Mathematics for 35 years in a variety of schools in the North East and have been teaching Mathematics at Carlisle College for the past 5 years.
Claire Goffin
Early Years TutorI have almost 30 years of experience in education. Starting out as a Teaching Assistant before completing my NNEB and qualifying as a Nursery Nurse. After a couple of years, I decided to complete my degree and gain Qualified Teacher Status. In my early career, I taught Early Years and KS1 before teaching KS2. I have been an Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion where I was DSL and SENDCo for a number of years. I worked within an academy as an Associate Headteacher across three primary schools - here I delivered the NPQML/SL courses. Finally, I have supported a school as an Acting Headteacher. I love education and I'm really passionate about it, particularly in ensuring that our next generation of educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need, both professionally and personally.
Chloe Notman
Health and Social Care TutorI have been working at Carlisle College since June 2024. I currently teach Steps, Level 2 Pathways to Care, and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care. I have 9 years of experience in Health and Social Care, working in a variety of services such as learning disability, mental health, dementia, and day care services. I am a qualified Primary School Teacher. One thing I love about my job is watching students progress, flourish, and become more confident in their skills and abilities.
Danielle Lawrence
Access to HE: Humanities and Social Sciences TutorI have worked at the college for 4 and a half years in various teaching roles. Before coming to the college, I studies Criminology and Social Science at the University of Cumbria. One thing I love about my job is meeting all the students and seeing them apply and expand their knowledge.
June Abraham
Health & Social Care TutorMy background is within the NHS and Cumbria County Council. I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1996 and worked on a busy Surgical Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital for 15 years before then moving on to a Rehabilitation Unit where I worked as a Senior Nurse. This then led me to work for the commissioning & development team within the Cumbria Primary Care Trust and Cumbria County Council where I worked within a team developing services for individuals with long-term conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Parkinsons, Motor Neurone Disease, etc. More recently I have worked at the Cumberland Infirmary on the Emergency Surgical Assessment Unit, which assisted me to update my clinical skills. Throughout my job as a Health and Social Care Tutor, my aim is to pass on my life and professional experience to the potential workforce of the future whilst continuously being taught new skills myself.
How is College different to Sixth Form?
How to Apply
Student Life
Fees and Finance
What's happening?
March Open Event
Carlisle College
Thursday 26th March 2026
4:45pm - 6:30pm
June Open Event
Carlisle College
Tuesday 30th June 2026
4:45pm - 6:30pm
Course Added
This course has now been added to your basket. Please click below to apply now or contine browsing.
Apply Now