To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students have enrolled onto the early years educator specialism of the Education and Early Years T-Level in each year since the T-Level was introduced.

The department is introducing T Levels in a phased approach. The number of providers will increase year on year, and student numbers are expected to grow significantly over the next few years.

In September 2020, 650 students started the Education and Childcare T Level, with over half opting for the Early Years Educator specialism.

1,420 students started the Education and Childcare T Level in September 2021 with almost 900 students opting for the Early Years Educator specialism, and early indications from providers are that around 2,150 students started the Education and Childcare T Level in September 2022, with over half of those that have chosen currently opting for the Early Years Educator specialism.

The majority of students on this T Level study the Early Years Education occupational specialism. Students do not have to finalise their occupational specialism until they reach the second year of their programme.

The figures provided are not exact, as data is not always recorded when a student starts the programme.