Loughborough College continues to pave the way for high-quality practical education through its T Level programmes. Launched in 2019, the T Level qualification blends classroom learning with immersive industry placements, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of their chosen fields, as demonstrated by the college’s successful partnership with JoJo Childcare in Coalville.
“Our T Level students are a part of our team,” explains Ria Stapleford, staff member of JoJo Childcare. “They bring fresh perspectives, and they are at the forefront of the ever-changing world of childcare.”
After an initial meeting with the College to discuss how learners can be supported to become the next generation of childcare professionals, Ria and the staff at JoJo Childcare became inspired by the T Level model of hands-on experiences outside of the classroom, and decided to recruit Childcare students for their work placement. “We realised that these are the staff of the future, and we could help them.”
The T Level students from Loughborough College have exceeded expectations, fully integrating themselves into the daily life of the nursery. Their enthusiasm and commitment have been evident, as Ria reflects: “The two T Level students we’ve had have really hit the ground running and thrown themselves into the placement. They have made themselves a part of the children’s lives.”
Whilst on their placement, students are able to find practical support from staff, and are encouraged to put their learning into practice. It’s this level of communication and mutual trust that has meant T Level learners on placement at JoJo Childcare have thrived. Looking back on their growth, Ria shared: “We’ve seen them grow in confidence to be able to talk about the things they have learnt, and how they can integrate and apply it at the nursery. It benefits both students and our staff to learn from one another.”
Looking ahead, Ria and JoJo Childcare are looking forward to supporting more students from the college, and encourage other employers to consider supporting T Level students. “I would recommend taking on a T Level student for a placement, especially in our industry. The process couldn’t be smoother or easier.”