Early Years Practitioner Level 2 (T Level Foundation) - Education and Early Years

Why study Early Years Practitioner Level 2 (T Level Foundation) at Derby?

Step into a rewarding career – perfect for 16–19-year-olds interested in working with children and the early years sector.
Build a strong foundation – gain essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours to prepare for the Level 3 T Level or employment.
Hands-on learning – study in classrooms, e-learning environments, and our dedicated Early Years simulation room to put theory into practice.
Develop specialist skills – plan and deliver learning activities, assess children’s development, and support children with SEND.
Real-world experience – complete a minimum of 250 hours of industry placement with local early years organisations.
Progress your career – upon completion, enter the workforce as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner, or move on to Level 3 T Level, higher apprenticeships, or university.

This 1-year course has been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of the industry. It provides the foundation of knowledge, skills and behaviours for those students who aspire to study the full Level 3 T Level, which would then provide the opportunity to progress to higher education.

The qualification content meets the Department for Education’s (DfE) Level 2 full and relevant criteria for a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner in the workforce. Upon successful completion of this qualification, learners can enter the workforce as a qualified Level 2 Early Years Practitioner or continue to study for a Level 3 Diploma holding Early Years Educator status.

What you will study

You will gain knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories, and principles relevant to the Early Years/Childcare sector such as:

Plan learning activities to support children’s development
Prepare environments for learning activities to support children’s development
Contribute to the assessment of children’s development
Develop strong digital literacy and aptitude with the latest technology
Develop an awareness of special educational needs
Gain an in depth understanding of the education and childcare sector

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

This course will be delivered in a variety of ways including in a classroom setting, e-learning and in real-world environments. We also have our very own Early Years simulation room where the classroom learning is taken into an “early years setting” to put theory into practice. In addition to this, our strong connections with local early years organisations means that you will also get the opportunity to plan and deliver sessions to local early years groups.

As part of the T Level Foundation, you are required to complete a minimum of 250 hours industry placement with a local employer, equivalent to 1 day per week over the 36 weeks course.

Careers

After completing the NCFE Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioner (T Level Foundation), learners gain the skills, knowledge, and practical experience to work in a variety of entry-level roles within the early years and childcare sector. Some common career pathways include:

Classroom Assistant / Teaching Assistant - supporting teachers and staff in primary school or early years classrooms.
Nursery Assistant / Early years practitioner - assisting with day-to-day operations and children's care in nurseries.
Childcare Support Worker - working with children with additional needs or in specialised settings.
Assistant in Special Educational Needs (SEN) Settings - supporting children with SEND under supervision.
Apprentice Roles in Early Years - combining paid work with further study, potentially progressing to Level 3 T Level or higher education.

Entry requirements

4 GCSE's at Grade 3+ including English and Maths. As this programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. Successful interview with a member of the team. A positive attitude towards learning and progression.

Fees and funding

https://buxton.derby.ac.uk/fees-financial-support-14-18/

How to apply

Ready to take the next step? Applying is quick and easy, just complete our online application form using the link below.

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Additional information about your studies

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.