At North Hertfordshire College, we bring learning to life through engaging and insightful projects that help learners think critically and prepare for their careers. A large part of the learning on the T Level Education & Early Years course consists of connecting activities with key education theory as well as sharing best practice.
That’s why NHC’s second-year T Level Education & Early Years students have explored common childhood illnesses and the importance of infection prevention and control with a series of (literal) hands-on activities.
They carried out a practical activity using hand gel and glitter to demonstrate how easily ‘bacteria’ can spread from one place to another. What started as a little sparkle on one pair of hands quickly transferred across surfaces, resources, and other hands. The ‘glitter hands’ activity is a powerful visual reminder of why effective hygiene routines are so important in early years settings. It’s also an activity students can use in their own teaching and EYE work, helping children learn the importance of washing their hands.
Learners then practised correct handwashing techniques, following NHS step-by-step guidance to ensure thorough cleaning. This is an important health consideration that students will model for children whilst on their individual work placements, which are a core part of their studies.
Following on from the glitter experiment, students explored food hygiene, nutrition, and responding to illness in an Early Years setting using NCFE’s NurseryVue digital learning package, an interactive resource which enhances our learners’ experience even further. Students engaged in realistic, scenario-based activities using the software, making decisions around safe food preparation, identifying balanced nutrition, and responding appropriately to common illnesses. Our students were also able to link the activity with education theory, identifying how the gamification of learning links to connectivism theory.
Vickie Sharp, T Level Early Years Tutor, told us: “Practical activities like the glitter hands experiment not only build knowledge but strengthen professional practice, preparing learners to keep children safe and healthy in real-world environments.
“I’m proud of the progress our T Levellers continue to show. Seeing them not only apply professional knowledge but also critically connect it to educational theory is exactly what T Level study is about.”
Are you interested in starting your own journey to a career in the Early Years sector? Find out more about North Hertfordshire College’s Education & Early Years pathway and start your journey to the best you. Ever.