Early Years Education
Early Years Education is all about changing a child's life for the better and ensuring they get off to the best start in their education. Studies have shown that the most rapid period of brain development is from birth to the age of 8 and within that time, teachers influence their lives greatly.
Upon employment in our Early Years Education course, students will be taught by our experienced tutors, embark on enrichment trips, first aid training, careers event, plus much more.
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Early Years Education at West Lancashire College
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Meet our Early Years Education students and tutors
Lynsey Makin
Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Foundation LearningI am an experienced educator with a background in the health and care sectors. I am passionate about supporting learners on their educational journey and take great satisfaction in seeing them achieve their goals and progress into rewarding careers. I am proud to be part of a highly effective team that combines high expectations with a caring and nurturing approach. Together, we strive to equip our learners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to recognise their potential, achieve their ambitions, and succeed in their future careers.
Kerrie Clarke
Early Years Education LecturerI have a great enthusiasm and passion for the Early Years sector. With a wealth of first-hand industry experience, I am able to share valuable knowledge and insights with our students, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to succeed as Early Years Practitioners. Supporting students on their journey into this rewarding profession is something I am truly passionate about.
Mell Watkins
Early Years Education LecturerI have worked at West Lancashire College since March 2010 and have been part of the Early Years and Education sector for many years. I gain great satisfaction from teaching our students and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to succeed and reach their full potential. I feel privileged to work with such wonderful students and to play a part in their learning journey. It is incredibly rewarding to see them grow and develop into confident, skilled, and competent Early Years and Education practitioners, ready to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Megan Hall
Early Years Education LecturerI joined West Lancashire College in August 2024 with a strong passion for teaching, inspired by my own educational experiences growing up. I studied Primary Education (Early Years) with QTS at Edge Hill University, specialising in Early Years education. Throughout my degree, I completed a range of modules covering child development and learning from birth to seven years of age, alongside a specialist placement supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These experiences helped me develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to support young children in reaching their full potential. I am passionate about creating engaging and nurturing learning environments where every learner can thrive, develop confidence, and achieve success.
Ruby
T Level Early Years Education StudentI’m interested in working with children, and I chose the T Level course because I wanted the opportunity to gain valuable experience through my placement while developing the skills and knowledge needed for a future career in education. My placement at Park Brow Primary School has been a highlight of the course, allowing me to work with children in a real classroom environment and put my learning into practice. The experience has helped me build my confidence, develop my communication skills, and gain a greater understanding of supporting young learners.
Jessica
T Level Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose to study the Early Years T Level course because I have always had a passion for working with children, and it was the perfect choice to support my future career goals in education. During my time at college, I completed my industry placement at St. Edmund's Catholic Primary School, Old Skelmersdale, where I gained valuable hands-on experience supporting young learners in the classroom. This opportunity helped me build my confidence, strengthen my communication skills, and develop a deeper understanding of children's learning and development. I am delighted to be progressing to Edge Hill University to study BA (Hons) Primary Early Years Education with QTS, taking me one step closer to achieving my ambition of becoming a teacher.
Emily C
T Level Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose this course because I had always wanted to become a primary school teacher. Throughout my time at college, my tutors were incredibly supportive and helped me develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to progress towards my career goals. I enjoyed learning about child development and education, and the course confirmed that teaching was the right path for me. Following completion of the course, I progressed to BA (Hons) Primary Early Years Education with QTS at Edge Hill University.
Ella
T Level Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose this course because I had always wanted to work with children, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). One of the highlights of the course was being able to put my knowledge into practice during my placement, which helped me develop valuable skills and gain a deeper understanding of supporting children in a real-world setting. I also enjoyed taking part in the Cyprus Turing Scheme trip, which was a fantastic opportunity to broaden my experience, develop my confidence, and learn in a different environment. Following completion of the course, I progressed to study BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Emily S
T Level Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose this course because I had always wanted to become a primary school teacher. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was being able to put my knowledge into practice, allowing me to develop my skills and confidence while gaining valuable experience working with children. The course helped prepare me for the next step in my educational journey and reinforced my passion for a career in teaching. Following completion of the course, I progressed to BA (Hons) Primary Early Years Education with QTS at Edge Hill University.
Ben
Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose West Lancashire College because it offered the course I wanted to study and was also my local college. During my programme, I gained valuable work experience and thoroughly enjoyed my placement at St Richard’s Primary School. My tutors were incredibly supportive throughout my studies and always encouraged me to achieve my full potential. After completing my course, I planned to progress to a BA in Primary Education with QTS.
Maddison
T Level Early Years Alumni StudentI chose to study the T Level Early Years Education course because I wanted to become a nursery teacher and support children's learning and development. I particularly enjoyed my industry placement, as it gave me valuable hands-on experience and helped me develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for a future career in education. The JJ Effect guest speaker session was also incredibly inspiring and provided valuable insight into the importance of supporting and motivating young people to achieve their full potential.
Aimee
T Level Early Years Alumni StudentI chose to study the T Level Early Years Education course because of my interest in the sector and the positive experience I had during a nursery placement in Year 10. The course provided me with valuable opportunities to develop my knowledge, skills, and understanding of working with young children. I particularly enjoyed the enrichment activities and creative projects throughout the programme, which enhanced my learning and helped prepare me for a future career in Early Years education.
Tia
T Level Early Years Alumni StudentI chose to study the T Level Early Years Education course because I wanted to work with children in the future, either in a nursery setting or as a childminder or nanny. I particularly enjoyed my industry placement, as it gave me valuable hands-on experience and allowed me to apply what I had learned in the classroom. The practical elements of the course were especially engaging and helped me develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for a future career working with children.
Emily
T Level Early Years StudentI chose to study a T Level because I preferred learning through practical experience rather than a purely theoretical approach. One of the highlights of the course was taking part in The Lancashire Colleges' Skills Competition, which gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and develop my skills. I also thoroughly enjoyed my placement at Delphside Primary School and visiting Edge Hill University with my class to explore the facilities and learn more about higher education opportunities. The course provided valuable hands-on experience and helped me develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for my future career. I am now studying BA (Hons) Primary Early Years Education with QTS at Edge Hill University, continuing my journey towards a career in education.
Jess
Early Years Education Alumni StudentI chose West Lancashire College because it offered the course I wanted and was also my local college. I gained valuable work experience during my programme and thoroughly enjoyed my placement at St Richard’s Primary School. My tutors, Mell and Kerrie, were incredibly supportive and went above and beyond to help me succeed. I have since progressed to studying Primary Education with QTS at Edge Hill University.
Ella
T Level Early Years Education StudentI have an ambition of becoming a teacher, and I chose the T Level because I knew I would get the most out of the course and gain valuable experience for my future career. I love the variety of activities we take part in, particularly World Book Day, which allows us to engage with children in creative and interactive ways. My placement at West Vale Primary School has given me the opportunity to apply my learning in a real classroom environment, helping me develop my confidence, skills, and understanding of working with young learners.
What can I do with a qualification in Early Years Education?
Daily tasks:
- Assists with or plans and develops curriculum and rota of teaching duties.
- Discusses progress with student, parents and/or other education professionals.
- Supervises teaching assistants and trainees.
- Undertakes pastoral duties.
- Teaches simple songs and rhymes, reads stories and organises various activities to promote language, social and physical development.
- Supervises students and maintains classroom discipline.
- Maintains records of students.
- Prepares students for external examinations and administers and invigilates these examinations.
- Prepares, assigns and corrects exercises and examinations to record and evaluate students.
- Prepares and delivers courses and lessons in accordance with curriculum requirements and teaches a range of subjects.
Daily tasks:
- Discusses student.
- Updates and maintains students.
- Liaises with other professionals, such as social workers, speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.
- Supervises students in classroom and maintains discipline.
- Prepares, assigns and corrects exercises to record and evaluate students progress.
- Encourages the student to develop self-help skills to circumvent the limitations imposed by their disability.
- Develops and adapts conventional teaching methods to meet the individual student.
- Gives instruction, using techniques appropriate to the student.
- Assesses student.
- Creates a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment for students.
Daily tasks:
- Coordinates and maintains quality assurance procedures.
- Assists with recruitment, public relations and marketing activities.
- Arranges for the preparation and publication of syllabuses and other official documents.
- Organises examinations, necessary invigilations and any security procedures required.
- Drafts and interprets regulations and deals with queries and complaints procedures.
- Acts as secretary to statutory and other bodies/committees associated with the educational establishment.
- Controls administrative aspects of student admission, registration and graduation.
- Leads or contributes to decision making processes regarding curricula, budgetary, disciplinary and other matters.
- Provides administrative support to the academic team.
- Arranges for evaluation of management, accounting, information storage and retrieval and other facilities.
Daily tasks:
- Communicates with parents and colleagues on children.
- Writes reports on children.
- Reads stories, organises counting games to help develop language and number skills.
- Plans and organises games and other activities and supervises children.
- Supervises young children at mealtimes.
- Baths, dresses, prepares feed for and feeds babies, changes babies clothing whenever necessary.
Daily tasks:
- Complies with regulations set by OFSTED and their inspection requirements.
- Maintains appropriate records of children.
- Takes older children to and from school.
- Takes children to participate in play groups or on appropriate outings.
- Provides, supervises and participates in children.
- Mends, washes and irons children.
- Plans, prepares and serves children.
- Changes babies.
- Assists children to wash and dress.
Daily tasks:
- Liaises with parents, carers and colleagues and keeps appropriate records.
- Puts away equipment and cleans premises after use.
- Organises and supervises children.
- Organises and supervises children on excursions.
- Encourages children.
- Provides play areas and prepares materials for a wide range of children.
- Supervises children.
Daily tasks:
- Helps with outings and other out-of-classroom activities.
- Makes simple teaching aids and constructs thematic displays of educational material or children.
- Assists children with washing or dressing for outdoor and similar activities.
- Listens to children read, reads to them or tells stories.
- Looks after lesson materials such as paper, pencils and crayons.
- Assists teacher with preparation or clearing up of classroom.
Daily tasks:
- Provides feedback to teachers and completes and maintains records.
- Attends to child.
- Helps and encourages child to communicate.
- Implements care programmes, as appropriate.
- Identifies signs of distress and offers reassurance.
- Helps child understand instruction through a variety of means and encourages self-confidence and independence.
- Supports schoolwork under teacher.
Daily tasks:
- Directs children to cross the road when safe.
- Signals approaching traffic to stop by using hand signals and school crossing signs.
- Waits for a safe gap in traffic and walks to the centre of road.
- Meets children wanting to cross the road and directs them to wait at the kerb.
- Assists young children with feeding, dressing, washing and toiletry activities.
- Cares for sick children and administers first aid if necessary.
- Supervises the playground activities of children during meal and break times.
Upcoming events
College Tours
West Lancashire College
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Thursday 1st July 2027
October Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 12th October 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
November Open Event
West Lancashire College
Thursday 19th November 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
