Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate program that introduces students to education, health, and social care aspects of early childhood (0-8 years). It aims to equip graduates with employability opportunities, develop academic skills, and provide a route to sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies in early childhood settings. The program combines academic study with practical placements and offers an optional route for pursuing graduate practitioner competencies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

• The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies is a three-year undergraduate program introducing students to aspects of education, health, and social care with a specific focus on children from 0 to 8 years of age.
• The program aims to equip graduates with employability opportunities, provide a curriculum for developing academic skills, and a route to work towards sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies.

Objectives:

• Enable graduates to work towards sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies for roles in early childhood settings.
• Develop graduates' academic skills through a curriculum focused on education, health, and social care in relation to early childhood.
• Prepare graduates for various employability opportunities with a focus on roles in early childhood settings.

Description:

• Full-time course duration is four years, including a Foundation Year designed to prepare students for undergraduate study.
• Graduates can pursue roles in early childhood settings, including those that require meeting the adult:child ratio.
• Graduates may choose to pursue an optional route for gaining sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies for early years education.

Outline:

Content:

• Covers aspects of education, health, and social care with a focus on children aged 0-8.
• Develops graduate competencies and academic skills.
• Offers an optional route for graduates to work towards sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies.

Structure:

• Four-year program including a Foundation Year.
• Combines academic study with practical placements in early childhood settings.

Modules:

• Foundation Year:
• Self as Learner
• Resourcing Learning
• Critical Engagement
• Critical Thinking
• The Digital Learner
• Effective Communication
• Reflective Learning
• Academic Writing
• Year 1:
• Policy, Provision and Practice
• Becoming a Professional: Reflective Practice
• Becoming a Professional: Positive Relationships
• Principles of Child Development 3: Communication and Language
• Principles of Child Development 2: How Children Learn and Enabling Environments
• Principles of Child Development 1: The Unique Child
• Year 2:
• Promoting Positive Behaviour
• SENDI, Inclusion and Diversity in Early Childhood
• Placement module
• The Value of Play
• Understanding Childhood
• Year 3:
• Health, inequality and advocating for children
• Safeguarding children
• Research for Enquiry
• Global and Future Childhoods
• The Young Child in Transition: Supporting Change and Promoting Resilience
• Sector Based Project: Researching and Reflecting on Early Years Practice
• Developing and Extending Young Children’s Thinking and Learning: Creative Approaches to the Curriculum
• Leading Early Childhood Pedagogy and Practice
• Researching with Children

Assessment:

Methods:

• End-of-module assessments for demonstrating understanding of learning objectives.
• Variety of assessment methods including portfolios, presentations, essays, discussions, and multimedia projects.
• Developing transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
• Meeting the learning outcomes of the program and the Foundation Year.

Teaching:

Methods:

• Lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, coursework, and work-based placements.
• Interactive learning environment promoting student participation and interactivity.
• Independent study for deeper engagement with the course material.

Faculty:

• Experienced and qualified academic staff with expertise in early childhood education and related fields.
• Dr. Mary-Louise Maynes, Dr. Alison Riley, and Samantha Hoyes are mentioned as specific faculty members.

Unique Approaches:

• Small group seminars and workshops for personalized learning experiences.
• Work-based placements for practical application of knowledge and skills.
• Optional route for pursuing sector-endorsed graduate practitioner competencies.

Careers:

Potential Paths:

• Early years practitioners, room leaders, and management roles in early childhood settings.
• Teachers or classroom assistants in early childhood education.
• Professionals in related fields such as speech and language therapy, social work, play therapy, and healthcare.

Opportunities:

• Growing sector with diverse job opportunities in various early childhood settings.
• Possibility of pursuing further study or postgraduate qualifications.
• Building a foundation for future careers in education, health, and social care.

Outcomes:

• Graduates are prepared for employment in early childhood settings with a wide range of skills and knowledge.
• Some graduates choose to pursue teaching careers through PGCE qualifications or other teacher training routes.
• Graduates may enter further study in specialized areas such as psychology, speech and language therapy, or midwifery.
• Graduates may pursue leadership and management roles in early childhood settings.

Other:

• The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of early childhood education.
• The curriculum aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen career path.
• The program offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students of diverse backgrounds and experiences.