Childcare & Education

T levels are designed for students who wish to study at an advanced level but also wish to gain invaluable “on the job” experience, they are new, elite courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for a career in a range of childcare/early years professions, undergraduate degree programmes, higher technical qualifications or a higher/degree level apprenticeship. They are equivalent to three A levels and carry the same UCAS (University points) and this T level pathway also provides a licence to practice.

T levels contain core content and specialist units and are designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories, and principles relevant to the Early Years/Childcare sector. They also develop the skills required for you to be successful in Health and related careers. A few of the topics that you will learn are:

· Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing

· Supporting Education

· Behaviour

· Equality and Diversity

· Special Educational Needs and disability (SEND)

· Parents, Families and Carers

· Play and Development

· Attachment

· Working in Partnership

T Levels offer you a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least  750 hours (the equivalent to two days per week). We work closely with employers to ensure that your work-place training develops your early years knowledge and skills in a real and practical way.

You will be assessed on your core knowledge through examinations and an employer set project. With regards to your specialist knowledge, this will be assessed through rigorous practical assessments. This gives you a wide range of assessment methods and opportunities to shine.

Our T levels offer students the chance to progress on to a range of careers, higher/degree level apprenticeship, higher technical qualifications, or a university degree programme.

Career progression routes include: Early Years Practitioner, Primary School Teacher, Play Therapist Teaching Assistant, Residential Childcare Worker, Childminder, Nanny, Playworker, Special Educational needs, Activity Coordinator .

Degree/Higher level apprenticeship opportunities include: Early Years Lead Practitioner, Education Technician, Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Assessor Coach, Learning Mentor, Teaching Assistant, Academic Professional, Teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

Degree/HTQ pathways include: , Academic Professional, Primary School Teacher, Special Educational Needs Teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Education Studies, Early Childhood Studies.

A minimum of a grade 5 in English and a grade 4 in Maths and a grade 4 in at least two other academic GCSE’s.

This course is a BTEC qualification with Pearson Edexcel as the awarding body.

This is a one year course where you will complete an Extended Certificate with 11 units in total. Some of these units are Mandatory, others we have chosen as they give you a wide range of understanding of both

the Health sector for those who wish to pursue health related careers and the Social Care sector for those more interested in Social Welfare.   Other chosen units will give you an understanding of the Childcare and Early Years sector.

At present, assessment is made up of coursework with two one hour examinations.

• Equality and Diversity
• Effective Communication

• Child Development and Observation
• The Early Years Sector
• Impact of Nutrition
• Human Lifespan Development

This is a one year course where you will complete an Extended Certificate with 11 units in total. Some of these units are Mandatory, others we have chosen as they give you a wide range of understanding of both the Health sector for those who wish to pursue health related careers and the Social Care sector for those more interested in Social Welfare.

This course will allow you progress to a Level 3 BTEC subject to good attendance and GCSE Maths and English progress.

Health and Social care gives access to 100s of different careers so if you know that you wish to work with people in a practical and “hands on” way, this could be the right course for you. Many of our students have gone on to the following careers and degree courses:

Psychology, Criminology, Mental Health Nursing, Policing and Criminal Investigations, Social Work, Teaching, Midwifery, Operating Department Practitioner, Radiography     Paramedic Science, Prison officer, Probation Officer, Early Years, Adult Nursing,  Children’s Nursing, Occupational Health Therapy, Speech and language Therapy,

And many more………..

As part of the University of Derby (a TEF Gold Institution), we provide courses from Level 1, right up to Level 7, giving you seamless progression into HE and access to world class health and social care resources!

Assessments methods include assignments, projects, case studies, activities linked to your placement, as well as individual and group presentations. There are two externally marked exams of 1 hour each.

4 GCSEs grade D/level 3 and above including Maths and English Language

(if you don’t achieve these, pop in and see us and we can give you information and guidance on alternative courses and the next steps to achieve your career goals)

2021 applications only. For 2022 applications please see our T Level – Early Years Educator

The Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) enables you to gain the knowledge and experience which will allow you to work with children from birth to 5 years.  The Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) enables you to enter the workforce as Early Years Educators or access Higher Education. The Technical Level 3 Diploma has been awarded UCAS Tariff points.

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education & Care (Early Years Educator)

The Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) enables you to access Higher Education. You can also progress into various job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors such as:

• Early Years Educator
• practitioner in day nurseries
• practitioner in nursery schools
• practitioner in reception classes in primary schools
• pre-school worker
• home based childcarer
• nanny

You must be at least 16 years old.

You will need five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including English language and ideally maths

Teaching Assistant Standard content:

Knowledge

Understand how pupils learn, Technology, working with teachers to support assessment for learning, Curriculum, keeping children safe

Skills

Developing strategies for support, communication and teamwork, working with teachers to accurately assess, using technology, problem solving/ability to motivate pupils.

Behaviours

Building relationships/embracing change, adding value to education, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, professional standards and accountability, team working, collaboration/engagement.

Learners must be at least 16 years old.

Apprentices must have a good standard of spoken and written English language, and will have either achieved a GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2, or above in either English and/or Maths, and ideally both before they commence the apprenticeship, alternatively you will need to pass both of these as a requirement of the course. Many of the jobs advertised require this level of competence in Maths and English

Level 3 Teaching Assistant

The traditional role of a Teaching Assistant has become increasingly varied, and today there are many different positions and jobs available in all kinds of educational settings. Which means that supporting learning, whether it is in schools, colleges, universities, or the community, is no longer just about working in the classroom. At Buxton and Leek College we offer a Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification that has been created by sector specialists to accurately reflect the needs of those who support teaching and learning. Teaching Assistants work in Primary, Special and Secondary education across all age ranges encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities. The primary role of the Teaching Assistant is to support the class teacher to enhance pupils’ learning either in groups or individually, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress. Learners achieving the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship can progress onto the foundation degree at the college, or specialist roles within the workforce including Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Assistant Teacher and Teacher.

You will create a portfolio of resources to support the End-point Assessment.

Learners will need to develop competence in the skills, knowledge and behaviours required by the standard over the course of your apprenticeship, and once these have been achieved, you will be assessed by the End-point Assessment.

The End-point Assessment will include an observation with Q & A, and a Professional Discussion, supported by your resource portfolio.

This Foundation Degree is a qualification which has been designed for practitioners who are currently employed (either paid or voluntary) in an early years environment.

The Foundation Degree builds on your work experience and will involve support from your employer via a mentor.

The Foundation Degree is validated by the University of Derby and will be delivered by the College in partnership with the institution. It is open to practitioners from all types of early years settings.

The Foundation Degree in Children and Young People has three pathways:

Early Years, Teaching Assistant or Special Needs.

You will study modules that relate to these areas alongside pathway specific modules. Each module awards 20 credits

FdA Children and Young People

A top up degree (level 6)

Seek employment/promotion to a senior level

Assignments/essays

A full level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and GCSE’s in maths and English is preferable.

As your programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

Learners must be at least 16 years old and will undergo all the checks such as Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure suitability to work with children.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to work and interact directly with children on a day to day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the setting. An EYP works as part of a professional team ensuring the welfare and care for children under the guidance and supervision of an Early Years Educator, teacher or other suitably qualified professional the Early Years Workforce.

Typical job titles include: Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Nurse, Assistant Childminder or Early Years Worker.

Early Years Practitioner Qualification level 2

Advanced qualification such as Early Years Educator, Teaching Assistant or employment in the industry as a Nursery Assistant, Early Years Practitioner or similar.

You will undertake initial assessment to ensure the apprenticeship is right for you, then once on programme you will undertake learning and development through on and off the job training, using online learning materials and an online portfolio. You will also create a portfolio of resources to support the End-point Assessment. The End-point Assessment comprises a knowledge test and a professional discussion underpinned by your portfolio

Apprentices must have a good standard of spoken and written English language and will have either achieved a GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2, or above in either English and Maths and ideally both before they commence the apprenticeship. Many of the jobs advertised require this level of competence in Maths and English.

You will also need to complete a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, your employer will organise this

This Foundation Degree is a qualification which has been designed for practitioners who are currently employed (either paid or voluntary) in an early years environment.

The Foundation Degree builds on your work experience and will involve support from your employer via a mentor.

The Foundation Degree is validated by the University of Derby and will be delivered by the College in partnership with the institution. It is open to practitioners from all types of early years settings.

The Foundation Degree in Children and Young People has three pathways:

Early Years, Teaching Assistant or Special Needs.

You will study modules that relate to these areas alongside pathway specific modules. Each module awards 20 credits.

FdA Children and Young People

A top up degree (level 6)

Seek employment/promotion to a senior level.

Assignment/essays

A relevant Level 3 qualification