T Level Foundation Programme Early Years Education and Childcare (September 2025 Start)

Prepare for a rewarding career in early years and primary education with our NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate.This qualification covers a range of key subject areas that provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to care for and educate children aged between 0 and 11 years 11 months old. Some of the units that are covered during this qualification include: child development, play and learning, exploring legislation, the role of the practitioner, nutrition and physical develop. Within the course you will also study GCSE Maths and English Language (if required).You'll also gain valuable hands-on experience through placements in early years settings and primary schools.

Work experience will play a key role in developing your knowledge by providing valuable hands-on learning in real childcare environments.

You will be expected to complete 200 hours of work placement over the year. This will include two block weeks and one day per week in placement. To meet course requirements, your placements must take place in both an Early Years setting and a Primary School.

On successful completion of this Level 2 course, along with your placement experience in the relevant area and maths and English grades 4-9, you will be considered for progression onto the T Level in Education and Childcare.

If you’d prefer to go straight into employment, it may also be possible to go into employment as a Level 2 practitioner. Additionally, another option (if you have the required English and maths grades) is to look into undertaking an apprenticeship.

To achieve the NCFE CACHE Certificate in Working with Children in Early Years and Primary Settings, learners must pass all six mandatory units. These units are internally assessed and graded as Pass, Merit, or Distinction.

In addition, learners must complete:

A Professional Skills Record (portfolio), based on 200 hours of placement in real early years and primary school settings. This will be assessed by both the placement supervisor and the Centre Assessor, and graded as Achieved or Not Yet Achieved.

The T Level Foundation Year National Technical Outcomes (NTOs) set out the skills and knowledge that learners are expected to demonstrate by the end of the course.

The grades from the units, Professional Skills Record, and NTOs will be combined to determine an overall result of Pass, Merit, or Distinction. Learners must successfully complete all elements to gain the full qualification.

We typically require a minimum of four GCSEs at Grade 3 or above, including either English or Maths.

If you’re progressing from a Level 1 programme, you should have achieved Functional Skills Level 1 in English and Maths, or be working towards a Grade 4 at GCSE.>/p>

All students working with children will need to have a Disclosure and Barring Security Check. Failure to provide ID documents (birth certificate, passport) and evidence of address will exclude you from enrolment on this course. Please check accepted documents and have these ready for enrolment.