early years student standing in early years corridor

Education and Early Years

STUDYING EDUCATION AND EARLY YEARS AT WESTON COLLEGE

For those looking to make a difference to the lives of children and young people, we offer education and early years courses, to help people secure their first posts, or take the next step in their career journeys.

As a long-established education provider in this sector, with fantastic new facilities, we are well placed to draw on our links with employers, and the strength of our teaching team, to keep our courses in this area highly relevant and evidence-based.

We also give students access to placements, guest speakers and regular practice-based opportunities, so that they leave us extremely well placed to progress in their careers.

Since the demand for trained childcare workers is increasing, the choice of career paths and the volume of job opportunities available are plentiful ...

Job roles in the West of England currently include:

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We've bundled the best education in the area with career boosted benefits - and are leveraging our contacts as one of the largest Colleges in the country to give you the best possible chance of success.

OUR PARTNERS INCLUDE:

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In College
Apprenticeships
T-Levels

Level 3

Assisting Teaching, T Level

Duration: 2 Years

Start Date: Sep 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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The Assisting Teaching T Level is a comprehensive and industry-focused programme that equips aspiring early years educators with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the field. Designed in collaboration with employers to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving sector, this T Level provides a unique opportunity t...

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Level 3

Early Years Educator, T Level

Duration: 2 Years

Start Date: Sep 2025

Location: KNIGHTSTONE CAMPUS

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The Early Years Educator T Level is a comprehensive and industry-focused programme that equips aspiring early years educators with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the field. Designed in collaboration with employers to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving sector, this T Level provides a unique opportunity...

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You can progress onto degrees and higher apprenticeships with UCW...
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OUR EARLY YEARS VIDEOS

Courses after College

Your journey to University Centre Weston starts here...

Early Years
Foundation Degree (FdA)

Early Childhood Studies
Foundation Degree (FdA)

Want to take a look around?

Taken straight from our virtual open evenings, take a guided tour of our Early Years facilities!

Meet the Early Years and Education Employers

Meet our team

Karen Morgan Subject Area Manager

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Vanessa Parslow Lecturer in Early Years

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Charlotte Howe Lecturer in Early Years Read More

Ashleigh Sweeney Lecturer in Early YearsRead More

Occupations related to Education and Early Years

Primary or Nursery Education Teaching Professional

Primary (and middle school deemed primary) and nursery education teaching professionals plan, organise and provide instruction to children at all levels up to the age of entry into secondary education.

Average annual earnings: £29,664
Employment in region: 11,535 positions

Special Needs Education Teaching Professional

Special needs education teaching professionals organise and provide instruction at a variety of different levels to children who have emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties or physical disabilities. These professionals may also work with exceptionally gifted pupils.

Average annual earnings: £28,083
Employment in region: 1,971 positions

Nursery Nurse or Assistant

Nursery nurses and assistants care for children from birth up to seven years of age in day or residential nurseries, children’s homes, maternity units and similar establishments.

Average annual earnings: £13,693
Employment in region: 4,523 positions

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WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

Rikki

My biggest challenge was my confidence or lack of it. I didn’t believe in myself and my abilities. I felt fully supported in what I was doing whilst at college, without that support I am not sure I would have achieved anything

Studied:

Supporting Teaching and Learning, Level 3

LATEST NEWS

8 Feb 2024

We are proud to announce that one of our outstanding T Level students, Katy Bateman, has been selected to participate in a national campaign organised by the Department for Education. Katy, currently in her second year of the T Level program, has been chosen to represent the Education pathway. The filming team visited Katy at the College in December and filmed a captivating "day in the life" piece for Snapchat, that will prominently feature on Snapchat's Explore page as part of a paid-for national campaign to showcase real young people navigating their technical education pathways. This campaign, set to go live today, aims to inspire and inform millions of young individuals across England, with an expected audience reach of 5.8 million people aged 14-19. Katy shared her excitement about being part of this initiative, stating, "The filming experience was really interesting and something I've never done before. I found it quite fun!" Katy is currently undertaking her T Level Education placement at Grove Junior School, where she is immersed in the vibrant environment of Year 3 education.  Looking ahead, Katy has ambitious plans for her future. After completing her T Level, she intends to take a gap year to explore different facets of education, including volunteering at a local forest school. Subsequently, she aims to pursue further studies at University Centre Weston (UCW), focusing on education, society, and childhood. Well done Katy for flying the flag for T Levels and Weston College – we are so proud of all you have achieved so far and the exciting future that awaits you, take a look at the ad here:  <iframe width="750" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6zlia9w0JS4?si=ClljQVBpg_1K4BKe" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> For more information about Weston College and our T Level programs, please visit <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; target="_blank">T Levels | Weston College</a>  <strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(56, 74, 77);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(16, 108, 177);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-… style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">here</a><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(56, 74, 77);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Education T Level Student Featured in National Campaign

26 Jan 2024

Greg Botrill standing with attendees from his session

Students, educators, and employers in the education industry gathered at Weston College for a captivating lecture delivered by acclaimed author Greg Bottrill. As a former early years lead and assistant headteacher with extensive experience in the early years sector, Greg Bottrill enlightened attendees on the profound impact of play-based learning on a child’s cognitive and emotional development.Greg Bottrill, known for his expertise in the Play Projects approach, shared insights into the transformative power of incorporating choice, creativity, collaboration, mark-making, mathematics, joy, invention, and endless possibilities into early years practices. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Greg provided practical strategies for creating dynamic learning environments that stimulate curiosity and independence, emphasizing the pivotal role of play in childhood development.The evening, attended by Education & Early Years students, alumni, and professionals from various education settings, featured an uplifting and insightful workshop exploring the application of play projects in practice. Attendees were immersed in Greg’s passion for real play, the magic of childhood, and the importance of placing children at the heart of their learning adventure.Rachel Landen from Keepers Gate Forest School conveyed her enthusiasm, stating, “I took so much away from this event; I was still talking about it when I woke up the next day. All our staff were engaged and excited about how we could implement some of the ideas.”The Weston College Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hubs express their gratitude to Greg Bottrill for delivering such a fantastic and enriching lecture. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees underscores the success of the event in inspiring and motivating educators and professionals in the education industry.Engaging with industry experts and employers forms part of Weston College’s Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our students' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares students to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.For those interested in exploring education and early years courses at Weston College, please visit <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years | Weston College.</a>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Inspirational Lecture by Renowned Author Greg Bottrill

23 Oct 2023

Naomi giving talk to learners about Boogie Beat

Last week, Weston College had the privilege of hosting alumni Naomi, the proud owner of the Music and Movement business, Boogie Beat. Naomi paid a visit to Level 2 Early Years learners, and her engaging talk and interactive session was an incredible experience for the class, emphasizing the importance of hard work, determination, and the wide variety of opportunities that follow an Early Years course at college. <img alt="naomi from Boogie Beat gives talk to early years learners" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="522cf293-a312-4297-90f4-368d5c14d34f" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/boogie%20beats.jpg" />

Naomi's journey from a Level 2 Early Years student at Weston College to becoming a successful business owner is nothing short of inspiring. As she addressed the eager learners, she shared her remarkable transformation. Naomi emphasized how her time at Weston College had provided her with the foundational knowledge and skills she needed to embark on her career path. Her experience demonstrated that with determination and dedication, it's possible to turn your college education into a thriving business.

Naomi's talk was not just a nostalgic reflection of her time at Weston College; it was also filled with invaluable insights for the Level 2 Early Years students. She underscored the significance of working hard during their college years, a message that resonated with the young minds eager to set their own path in the field of Early Years education. By sharing her personal journey, Naomi provided students with a tangible example of how a college education can be a stepping stone to entrepreneurial success.

One of the highlights of Naomi's visit was her ability to open students' eyes to the vast array of opportunities available in the Early Years sector. Her success story served as a testament to the versatility of a career in Early Years education. It was a reminder that this field extends far beyond traditional teaching and can be a launchpad for diverse and fulfilling career paths.

The engagement didn't stop at an inspirational talk. Naomi had the students up and active with a lively practical session. Learners had a blast as they participated in singing and dancing, wielding rainbow streamers, and even sharing the floor with Giggles the Boogie Beat Monkey. This hands-on experience not only added an element of fun to the afternoon but also reinforced the idea that learning can be both enjoyable and instructive.

This guest speaker forms part of the Education Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

As the session concluded, the Early Years learners were buzzing with excitement and inspiration. Their feedback echoed the sentiment that the afternoon was not only informative but also incredibly enjoyable. Naomi's visit left an indelible mark on these students, reminding them that with hard work, dedication, and a passion for what they do, they can carve out successful and fulfilling careers in Early Years education.

Naomi from Boogie Beat Inspires Early Years Learners!

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Education and Early Years

Education and Early Years

STUDYING EDUCATION AND EARLY YEARS AT WESTON COLLEGE