It follows concerns from awarding bodies and sector organisations that the Education and Childcare T-Level with the early years specialism, coming in from 2020, won’t equip students with a licence to practice.
Responding to a Parliamentary question tabled by the shadow early years minister Tracy Brabin about whether upon completion of the T-Level, students will count towards Level 3 ratios in an early years setting, the skills and apprenticeships minister Anne Milton confirmed they will.
Ms Milton said, ‘Students who have completed the early years T-Level will count towards an early years settings Level 3 ratio. When developing the T-Level, we will make sure that it aligns to the early years criteria which will allow a practitioner to be included in the ratios.’
However, it is still unknown about the number of work placement hours T-Level students will be expected to complete.
The consultation on the content of the Education and Childcare T-Level proposes a minimum of 45 days on industry placement, but awarding bodies and sector organisations claim this would fall short of the Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria.
However, the consultation, which the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) has extended the deadline for until 29 June, says that it is likely that the number of work placement hours will be increased for the Education and Childcare T-Level.
Shadow early years minister Tracy Brabin said, 'Although it’s welcome that the incoming T-Levels will count towards Level 3 ratios and that students who complete the course will be licensed to practise in early years settings, it’s disappointing I’ve had to prise this information out of ministers.
'The Department needs to improve dialogue with the sector regarding T-Levels as a priority because they must ensure that the qualifications work for students, employers and settings.'