Course overview
A childcare course is the ideal choice if you are passionate about helping children learn, grow, and reach their full potential. You’ll develop the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to support children’s learning, development, health, and wellbeing from birth through to primary school age.
Through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience, you’ll explore child development, play, safeguarding, communication, and inclusive practice, preparing you for higher education or a rewarding career working with children and families.
T Levels provide an opportunity for you to gain valuable work experience alongside your studies, so you learn on the job and not just in the classroom. Our team of highly qualified staff use their professional experience to keep courses up to date with the latest developments in the sector. They will teach you important links between theory and practice, which will ensure that you are fully prepared to meet the challenges of this rewarding career. A DBS check will be carried out as part of the course in order to work with vulnerable people.
Our facilities include the brand new Tyneham building at our Weymouth campus, offering state-of-the-art learning and support resources used for Level 3 Health & Early Years, fitted with a mock hospital ward and children’s nursery.
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (including English and maths).
Learners progressing from a Level 2 course will need a BTEC Level 2 Diploma with a good Merit profile or NCFE Level 2 achieved, along with English and Maths GCSE at grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
Learners must have enthusiasm about working with children and young people. Students will also need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service application (formerly CRB) to attend work placements. More information about your Disclosure and Barring Service check will be provided at enrollment.
Course Structure
Course Description
Equivalent to three A Levels, this advanced programme is designed for students who want to progress into a career working with children or continue to higher education. Combining classroom learning with industry placement, you will develop the professional knowledge, practical skills, and experience required for roles within Early Years and education settings.
The course is divided into core components and an occupational specialism component. The core components covered include:
- 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
Occupational Specialism component 0-8 years (Early Years Educator):
- Support and promote children’s play, development and early education
- Plan, provide and review care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress
- Safeguard and promote the health, safety and well-being of children
- Work in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development.
Work placement
You will attend college for the knowledge element of your qualification, and you will develop your workplace skills by participating in 750 hours of work placement in a school or early years setting.
Uniform
Students are required to wear the Coastland College Early Years uniform while attending work placement.
The uniform consists of:
- Coastland College Early Years polo shirt
- Black trousers
- Black, sensible shoes
To meet professional standards within Early Years settings, students are not permitted to wear false nails while on placement.
Assessment
The T Level combines examinations with employer-set projects and practical assessments based on real-life workplace scenarios, ensuring you develop the knowledge and skills required by the sector.
Progression
This qualification will support students on to a range of progression routes including employment, higher education and apprenticeships. The T Level study programme is eligible for UCAS points equivalent to three A levels. The degrees that previous learners have progressed into include teacher training, early childhood studies, psychology, or onto the BSc (Hons) Professional Studies delivered at Weymouth College’s HE Centre in partnership with University of Plymouth.
Job roles may include employment as an early years educator, classroom teaching assistant, special needs assistant, nanny or children rep in holiday destinations.