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    Carlisle College Early Years 6

    College 16 - 18

    Early Years

    Are you interested in a career working with children? Does working with children inspire you? If so, these courses will give you the vocational skills and underpinning knowledge that you will need to progress into your dream career. 

    What Can I Study?

    Supporting Teaching and Learning TA – Level 2

    Do you dream of being a Teaching Assistant? This Supporting Teaching and Learning course will help you take your first steps towards your dream career.

    Length: 36 weeks
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools – Level 3

    Do you want make a difference to children and young people's lives every day? This course will help prepare you for employment as a Teaching Assistant.

    Length: 35 weeks
    Study: Part-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Early Years Educator – Level 3

    This course provides you with an appropriate range of opportunities and experiences that will inspire you and help successfully transition into the next stage of education, training or employment. 

    Length: 36 weeks
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Early Years Educator T-Level (Assistant Teaching) – Level 3

    Are you looking to start a career in assistant teaching and want to expand your knowledge and skills? Would you like to work with children and young people? Then this Assistant Teaching T Level could be the course for you.

    Length: 2 years
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Early Years Educator – T-Level (Education and Childcare) – Level 3

    Are you looking to start a career in the childcare industry and want to expand your knowledge and skills? Would you like to work with children and young people? Then this Early Years Educator T Level could be the course for you.

    Length: 2 years
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Pathways to Care - Level 1

    Considering a career in Health and Social Care or Childcare? Then this course is for you. It has been designed to develop the skills you need to work in Health and Social Care or Children’s and Young Peoples settings.

    Length: 36 weeks
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Pathways to Care - Level 2

    If you are caring, compassionate and want to make a difference to the lives of others, this course will build your confidence, understanding and knowledge.

    Length: 36 weeks
    Study: Full-Time
    Start date: 1st September 2025
    Location: Carlisle College

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    Get in Touch

    Call us now: 01228 822 700
    Email us: info@carlisle.ac.uk
    Visit us Apply now

    Good to Know

    Meet our Staff

    Vicky Johnston

    Vicky Johnston

    Head of Curriculum for Care Services

    I have been at Carlisle College for 12 years. I started as in Early Years Level 3 course tutor, I then went on to be Quality Manager, Curriculum Team Manager for Health, Care and Services, and am now Head of Curriculum for Care Services. I am also a safeguarding officer for the department and the college's wellbeing ambassador. In industry, I have worked in a variety of roles including a Nanny and Community Nursery Nurse, before going on to own and manage my own nursery for 12 years. I was also an OFSTED inspector in Early Years. I love my job because I can help learners achieve their goals and every day is so different!

    Jo Knighton

    Jo Knighton

    Early Years Tutor

    My career experience has been within early year settings working with children between the ages of birth – five years old. As a nursery practitioner I enjoyed developing relationships with children and their families, to help support their learning and development, I found this really rewarding. It was a natural progression for me to then move into management, enabling me to lead staff and create a safe, stimulating environment for the children. Academically, I have a BA (Hons), Early Years Professional Status (EYFS) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). As much as I enjoyed working within the industry, I also wanted to be able to pass my knowledge on to our learners and inspire the next generation of practitioners.

    Claire Goffin (1)

    Claire Goffin

    Early Years Tutor

    I have almost 30 years of experience in education. Starting out as a Teaching Assistant before completing my NNEB and qualifying as a Nursery Nurse. After a couple of years, I decided to complete my degree and gain Qualified Teacher Status. In my early career, I taught Early Years and KS1 before teaching KS2. I have been an Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion where I was DSL and SENDCo for a number of years. I worked within an academy as an Associate Headteacher across three primary schools - here I delivered the NPQML/SL courses. Finally, I have supported a school as an Acting Headteacher. I love education and I'm really passionate about it, particularly in ensuring that our next generation of educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need, both professionally and personally.

    Suzanne Sunderland (1)

    Suzanne Sunderland

    Early Years Tutor

    I have been part of Carlisle College for 10 years in a variety of teaching and assessing roles. I currently teach Level 2 and Level 3 Early Years Educator courses. Before working at Carlisle College I had a successful childminding business, was a deputy manager in a private nursery, and was an Early Years adviser for the Local Authority. I am passionate about developing outstanding experiences for young children and their families, to nurture learning and development. Through all my previous experience, I can pass on my knowledge to learners and inspire new practitioners.

    Mhairi Beattie

    Mhairi Beattie

    Early Years Assessor

    I've worked at Carlisle College since 2013 teaching and assessing across Early Years and Teaching Assistant courses. I started my Early Years journey as a nanny at home and abroad and also fulfilled roles as a play worker and childminder. I then went on to work as an Early Years NVQ Assessor and delivered vocational pathways in Early Years before coming to Carlisle College. One thing I love about my job is being part of the learner's journey and helping them grow.

    Georgina Robinson

    Georgina Robinson

    Early Years Tutor / Assessor

    I am an Early Years Tutor/Assessor and have been working at Carlisle College for 18 months. I have experience as a Special Attachment Welfare Assistant, Teaching assistant, Nursery Manager, Yoga Teacher, and Mum! One thing I love about my job is the variety, no two days are the same!

    Chelsea Kift

    Chelsea Kift

    Pathways to Care Tutor

    I graduated as a children's nurse in 2019 from the University of Birmingham, my background is in children's high dependency and intensive care, and I have worked in a well-known specialist children's hospital and a major trauma centre. My most recent job was working as a senior nurse in a children's high dependency ward in a local district general hospital. I moved from London to Carlisle in August 2024. Although my background is nursing, I have always had a keen interest in education, and have spent time as a student link nurse, mentoring student nurses and preparing them for becoming registered nurses. Alongside teaching here at Carlisle College I aim to keep up my nursing skills by completing nursing shifts regularly.

    Rachel Marshall (1)

    Rachel Marshall

    Progress Coach and Safeguarding Lead

    I have worked at the college for 14 years and I currently look after all the support needs for students in the Care department. This includes all safeguarding concerns both in the Care department and across the college. I also look after all of the care experienced/cared for students. One thing I love about my job is supporting the students with their wellbeing.

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