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T Level Foundation Year – Education & Early Years

This one-year T Level Foundation Year Programme has been designed to give you the best chance of progressing onto your chosen T Level – and successfully completing it. As an Education and Early Years student you will need to have enthusiasm and motivation for working with children.

It’s been developed with leading businesses, schools and colleges to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and work experience that you will need for your next step, and that employers look for in future employees.

You will gain the following:
– Technical knowledge and practical skills
– Industry-based work experience
– Relevant English, maths and digital skills
– Focused individual support and personal development

The course will provide you with a broad introduction to Education and the Early Years through industry-relevant technical knowledge and practical skills.

Learning will focus on three specific technical outcomes and you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to:
– Plan play, learning or educational activities for children and young people.
– Prepare environments for children and young people’s play, learning and educational activities.
– Observe children and young people’s learning and development within a specific age range.

The course is taught over four days with three days being in college and one day per week on work placement. The course content is a mix of theory and practical workshops which will provide you with a really good introduction to some of the T Level content and an excellent foundation for the skills and theories needed to support your progress onto the T Level.

Apply for this course

Select from the start date/s below…

Sep 2025 : North Devon : Full-time
Course Code : FTB472 (2025)
Level : Level 2
Duration : 36 Weeks
North Devon Campus Apply

Course details

Assessments

Assessment will be through a variety of methods which could include practical activities, written activities, in-class tests, professional discussions, project work and individual research. You will also complete 120 hours of work experience and will have an informal observation and feedback from one of our work-based assessors.

Entry Requirements

All entrants must hold four GCSEs at grade 3 or equivalent (or above), including GCSE Maths and English. If you do not have a GCSE grade 4 in Maths and/or English you will continue studying these subjects alongside your chosen course(s). At the end of the year, you are expected to have completed and achieved all the components of your Level 2 Study Programme and improved your Maths and English skills before progressing to your next level course.

Progression

This course is aimed at anyone interested in going on to study the T Level in Education & Early Years. Alternatively, you may want to progress onto another teaching-related course or an Early Years Apprenticeship.

Facilities and resources

We have a fully equipped training room with interactive babies, baby changing and bathing facilities, as well as a wide variety of educational learning resources.

We have excellent links with local Early Years and Primary School settings as well as an experienced and highly qualified teaching and assessing team.

Study Programme

Every full-time student at Petroc will have their own Study Programme which will include:

– Your academic or vocational qualification.

– Maths and English Language development – if you have not achieved GCSE grade 4 in either of these subjects.

– Work Experience – hours will vary depending on your qualification and course level.

– Tutor Support – to support your personal, academic and professional development.

– Sustainability – helping you to identify how you can improve the sustainability of your future employment sectors.

– Personal Development Awards – developing six key areas of personal and employability behaviours to prepare you for the working world.

As this course requires you to undertake work placements with children and/or vulnerable adults, a DBS check is required.

Why Petroc should be your first choice

Petroc offers quality education and training across North and Mid Devon. We aim to provide outstanding learning, excellent facilities, strong connections to employers and a supportive environment to help you fulfil your education goals and set you on your path to the career of your dreams.

two smiling students walking down a corridor

SUPPORTIVE

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where you can flourish and feel a valued member of the college and wider community. 

INSPIRING

Our teaching spaces and facilities are some of the best in the region, providing stimulating and true-to-life learning environments. 

CONNECTED

We’ll provide you with the experiences you need to be ready for employment or the next step on your educational journey.

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