Education and Early Years final moderation reports (Generation 1 only)
To maintain high standards and ensure consistency, we’dd like to remind assessors to follow the best‑practice guidance outlined below.
Final moderation reports
On results day (Thursday 13 August), you’ll be able to see a report in the Portal showing your strengths and areas for development. We strongly advise that you use this to support improvements to delivery in the next session. You can see this report on the Results tab, searching by batch number and clicking on a student – this is the same place where you will find the results slip .
___________________________
Early Years Educator Assignment 1, part 1 (Generation 2)
The moderation window runs from September 2026 through to the end of January 2027.
The webpage includes the following assessor guidance documents:
- EEY – OS – EYE – Assignment 1 part 1 – Competence Observation Criteria – Assessor Guidance – Version 1.0 16 June 2025
- EEY – OS – EYE – Assignment 1 part 1 – Competence Observation Criteria – Additional Guidance – 3 March 2026 – Each element is split between knowledge and skills.
You can continue to use the June 2025 document or transfer to the March 2026 document. The criteria are the same, however you will notice some differences in numbering. The March 2026 version is split into knowledge and skills.
Find out more
Assignment 1, part 1 (EYE) documentation
The revised March 2026 documents now allow for knowledge only criteria to be evidenced by work products, reflective accounts and written narratives.
Examples of what is recommended can be found in the Additional guidance – 3 March 2026 – exemplification tables.
Only approved assessors can sign off criteria to confirm that students are competent.
You can use the NCFE Evidence Mapping Form template on this webpage to track progress.
___________________________
Generation 2: further information
As a reminder, all students who started their T Level in Education and Early Years in September 2025 were registered on Generation 2 of this qualification. Please see the key information ahead of the new academic year below.
Core changes from Generation 1 to Generation 2
|
Generation 1 (for students registered from 2020-2024)
|
Generation 2 (for students registered in 2025 and beyond)
|
|
Core content structure
|
12
|
Core content structure
|
7
|
|
Core exam/s
|
2
|
Core exam/s
|
1
|
|
Core exams timings
|
4 hours (2 x 2)
|
Core exams timings
|
2 hours 30 minutes
|
|
Core Employer Set Project
|
Assessment of all core skills
Draws on knowledge across all 12 elements when required
|
Core Employer Set Project
|
Assessment of all core skills
Targets elements 1 and 7 more explicitly
|
|
Assessment weighting
|
Paper A: 35%
Paper B: 35%
Employer Set Project: 30%
|
Assessment weighting
|
Core exam: 60%
Employer Set Project: 40%
|
|
Occupational Specialism content – Early Years Educator (EYE)
|
Broad outcomes
|
Occupational Specialism content – Early Years Educator (EYE)
|
More clearly defined outcomes with clearer links to development and care
|
|
Occupational Specialism content -Assisting Teaching (AT)
|
Broad focus on SEND
|
Occupational Specialism content -Assisting Teaching (AT)
|
Stronger focus on SEND and curriculum access
|
|
Assessment duration (Occupational Specialism)
|
Early Years Educator: 25 hours 45 minutes to 29 hours 45 minutes
Assisting Teaching: 14 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours 30 minutes
|
Assessment duration (Occupational Specialism)
|
Early Years Educator: 21 to 26 hours
Assisting Teaching: 9 hours 30 to 12 hours
|
Updates to the qualification specification
Students will continue to study and complete the qualification specification they originally registered on:
- Students who started the Education and Early Years T Level before September 2025 are registered on the T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (Generation 1) and will continue to study and be assessed against this version throughout the remainder of their programme. They cannot transfer to the updated qualification specification introduced from September 2025.
The final opportunity for students completing the generation 1 qualification, including any required resits and retakes, will be the summer 2028 assessment series.
The role of the assessor
The information below will support assessors.
Please note, as part of the Generation 2 requirements, all new assessors need to be approved by NCFE. See here for further information about the assessor approval process.
To support you in your role, you can:
Early Years Educator occupational specialism, assignment 1 part 1 (Generation 2) – additional guidance for the competence observation criteria
Visit the qualification webpage for assessment materials, the Early Years Educator competence criteria, and additional guidance.
Summarised guidance
Students registered from 2025 may generate evidence from supervised classroom activity as evidence for knowledge-based criteria, including reflective accounts and written evidence. The provider-appointed occupationally competent assessor must make the final judgement regarding student competence. Further details can be found in the document.
Structured observations
Our Provider Development team will arrange training ahead of the occupational specialisms to include comprehensive coverage of the structured observations. We have been made aware of the challenges of securing a quiet uninterrupted space where the professional discussion can take place. We have produced the statement below to explain the significance of the professional discussions for the structured observations.and which you might want to print out and display:
Students on industry placement undertaking structured observation assessments are under exam conditions. Professional discussions must take place in a quiet area. Students should not be disturbed during their examination as their performance is graded and contributes towards 50% of their occupational specialism. Please respect the students’ assessment requirements in order to maximise their opportunity for success.
Please support your students by putting this notice up and encouraging colleagues and fellow students to respect and observe exam conditions when professional discussions are taking place.
________________________
Resources
Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching padlets
Our free Assessor Network padlets are available to support your delivery. We’ve recently added new resources to these – so it’s a great time to take a look.
Within each padlet, you’ll find material such as:
▶️ YouTube videos for bite-sized learning
💬 topics for discussion a space to share ideas and practice
📑 updates to statutory guidance keeping you up to date
🤝 support links and materials to help with your role.
Access the padlets below:
Latest resources released
We’ve released the next set of T Level resources, outlined below:
|
Core content coverage
|
No. of session packs
|
Release date
|
|
Element 6: Working in partnership
|
6.4 How agencies and services support children, parents, carers and wider families
|
3
|
24 July
|
|
Element 7: Professional practice
|
7.1 The use of national assessment and benchmark outcomes to inform effective pedagogy
|
1
|
31 July
|
|
Element 7: Professional practice
|
7.5 Key concepts of models of reflection and how they can be applied in practice
|
3
|
28 August
|
Resources are available from the qualification page on our website. For more information on the resources, coverage, and pricing, please refer to the Resources Factsheet, available on the qualification page under the ‘Qualification details’ section.
____________________________
Events
How AI can improve professional discussion outcomes – Wednesday 8 July – 12:15-1pm
Join NCFE and Bodyswaps for a free webinar exploring how AI can support Early Years learners to prepare for assessment, with a focus on professional discussions across EPA and T Level delivery.
We’ll share practical insights from a new NCFE Assessment Innovation Fund (AIF) funded research project, exploring how AI-powered roleplay can build learner confidence, improve communication skills, and support stronger assessment outcomes.
The session will also introduce a fully funded pilot opportunity, inviting Early Years apprenticeship and T Level providers to take part and explore how this approach can support learner readiness for EPA and wider assessment.
In this session, you will:
- Understand current DfE and Skills England priorities in assessment and reform
- Explore why professional discussion skills are critical for EPA and T Level success
- Learn how AI can support Early Years learners’ preparation and confidence
- See how scalable role play simulations can replicate realistic assessment scenarios
- Gain insight into the latest NCFE and Bodyswaps research on learner outcomes.
Sign up now
Generation 2 moderation: live Q&A for Education and Early Years assessors - Wednesday 19 August, 11am - 12pm
A live Q&A webinar for Education and Early Years T Level assessors, offering clear guidance on the new Generation 2 moderation processes. Get practical answers, understand expectations, and feel confident in your assessment decisions.
Sign up now
Education and Early Years Teacher and Assessor Networks: Working together for student success – Monday 21 September, 9:30am
The purpose of this Education and Early Years Assessor and Teacher Network is to allow for supported networking opportunities for staff involved in the assessment of Assignment 2 (Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 1 students and Assignment 1 (Early Years Educator and Assisting Teaching) parts 1 and 2 for Generation 2 students. Led by NCFE moderators, this session will allow for the sharing of ideas and experiences which share best practice and provider ‘top tips’ for success. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.
Save the date – sign up link coming soon!
__________________________________________
