| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
Explore how children learn and develop in the early stages of their lives
Are you an enthusiastic and committed Early Years professional? Are you looking to enhance your professional practice? Then our Foundation Degree Early Years course is the option for you.
Our Childhood and Early Years degrees
Hear from staff and students and learn more about our Childhood and Early Years courses.
Study as you work
Our Foundation Degree Early Years programme allows those already working or volunteering in an Early Years setting (for a minimum of 12 hours a week) to continue their career development in a rewarding field.
This two-year, full-time or three-year part-time degree is structured so that you attend University one day per week, enabling you to study without giving up work. It also allows early years professionals to work towards a full Level 5 degree with the support to develop their academic confidence and skills.
Learn to support Early Years children
Our course combines theoretical study with practical work. You will explore how children learn and develop in the early stages of their lives.
In addition, you will enhance your skills in reflection, independent thinking and critical analysis on your journey to becoming a more confident and skilled Early Years practitioner.
Recognised qualification
If you are not ‘full and relevant’ at level 3, you may be eligible to gain this status by completing two additional assessed practice modules (whilst studying for your Foundation Degree in Early Years).
Please note that if you wish to gain ‘full and relevant’ at level 3 you will also be required to have Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English by the end of the Foundation Degree in Early Years.
For further information please contact Eva Mikuska
Start your journey
This course provides the opportunity to progress to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Top-up and is an excellent pathway to enable busy practitioners to gain a degree.
Why choose this course?
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Top-Up.
Program Outline
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of our staff as you gain confidence in your abilities
Teaching
Our teaching methods help you to enhance your effectiveness as an Early Years worker and continue to extend your knowledge and understanding in the sector.
They include individual tutorials, lectures, group exercises, directed reading, role play, observations, discussion and presentations.
A large amount of the learning and teaching on this course takes place away from the University, at your place of work.
Assessment
The close link between teaching, learning and assessments will be emphasised throughout the course.
You will be given meaningful assessments activities that are relevant to professional practice.
On successful completion, students can continue their studies to a full degree by taking the
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Level 6 Top-up programme
.Your assignments will enable you to draw on your experience and work-based activity.
Examples include:
You will also have the opportunity to attend a tutorial after each teaching day if you require any further guidance.
Read more
The Course
Enhance your skills in the study of early childhood
This two-year full-time or three-year part-time degree is structured so that you can attend university one day per week. This enables you to study without giving up work.
You’ll hone your skills and gain an understanding of the diverse contexts in which children develop and learn.
Full and relevant
This course is a recognised qualification by the Department for Education and meets the governments ‘full and relevant’ criteria as it includes practical working experience.
If you are not ‘full and relevant’ at level 3, you may be eligible to gain this status by completing two additional assessed practice modules (whilst studying for your Foundation Degree in Early Years).
Please note that if you wish to gain ‘full and relevant’ at level 3 you will also be required to have Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English by the end of the Foundation Degree in Early Years.
For further information please contact Eva Mikuska
These modules are indicative and subject to change.Select a year
Child Development in the Early Years
Children’s Rights
Introduction to Early Years
Play, Creativity and Expressive Arts
Reflective Practitioner: Babies, Toddlers and Pre-school
Safeguarding and Integrated Working in the Early Years
Child Development in the Early Years
Child Development in the Early Years
This module introduces you to the nature of developmental psychology and encourages you to examine the place of psychological theory in studying childrens development. You will explore the social and historical contexts in which the developments of theories have taken place. The module will include an introduction to observation and collection of data within Early Years settings to inform practice and planning for childrens development.
Children’s Rights
Children’s Rights
The module will support and develop academic expression, academic writing, reasoning, argument and critical thinking. You will read a range of literature and study different approaches to topics that are covered within the subject area of early years. the module will introduce students to the practices of critical academic reading and writing. Students will consider what we mean by ‘criticality’ and consider the ways in which we should read and write within an academic framework. You will be encouraged to use web-based resources and to distinguish between different types of information e.g. government documents, multi-disciplinary research and practice-based information that is relevant to Early Years.
Introduction to Early Years
Introduction to Early Years
This module will support and develop your academic expression, academic writing, reasoning, argument and critical thinking. You will read a range of literature and study different approaches to topics that are covered within the subject area of early years. You will be introduced to the practices of critical academic reading and writing. You will consider what we mean by ‘criticality’ and consider the ways in which we should read and write within an academic framework, and be encouraged to use web-based resources and to distinguish between different types of information e.g. government documents, multi-disciplinary research and practice-based information that is relevant to Early Years.
Play, Creativity and Expressive Arts
Play, Creativity and Expressive Arts
This module provides you with an understanding of the different perspectives of play in relation to child development and learning.
You will explore the influence of key pioneers on contemporary concepts of play and make links between theory and effective practice in the early years sector.
Reflective Practitioner: Babies, Toddlers and Pre-school
Reflective Practitioner: Babies, Toddlers and Pre-school
This module will focus on developing awareness of the purposes of reflective practice within the early years setting and managing the reflective process for changing and improving practice in your setting. Using the current Early Years Curriculum and its principles as a framework, the module supports early years professionals in dealing with possible issues arising from professional practice, and reflecting on possible challenges in a sensitive and professional manner in order to make a real difference to the lives of babies, young children and their families. Furthermore, this module supports Early Years professionals in thinking through their roles to address, and make decisions, on issues they may encounter.
Safeguarding and Integrated Working in the Early Years
Safeguarding and Integrated Working in the Early Years
The aims for this module are to enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding agenda and underpinning legislation; to learn how to apply this in practice and respond appropriately to children, parents and colleagues; to develop students’ awareness of healthy choices for babies and young children; to support their understanding of different behaviours and to appreciate the issues involved in being safe and protected. Students will be introduced to current debates around children’s rights, within the current and relevant political frameworks. the complex inter-relationships between protection and rights will also be explored.
Childhood in Crisis: Global Perspectives
Importance of Research in Early Years
Send Early Years
Understanding Children’s Behaviour
Work Based Assessment 2
Working with Families in The Early Years
Childhood in Crisis: Global Perspectives
Childhood in Crisis: Global Perspectives
The module aims to explore international issues in Early Years Education and Care such as understanding globalization and migration and the possible impact it has on children and their families.
You will examine the responsibility of the adult within children’s crisis situations, as well as the adult systems for helping children out of crisis.
In addition, you will explore the impact of crisis on children in the short and long term, as well as the implications for child development and children’s rights.
As part of this, you will have the chance to critically reflect on their own practice and recognise the complexity of caring for babies and young children.
Importance of Research in Early Years
Importance of Research in Early Years
The module aims are to promote individual understanding of research in early years, increase awareness of ‘research mindedness’, explore qualitative, quantitative and mixed research approaches and to link evidence-based research to professional practice. the aim is to enable the use of skills such as communication, observation, evaluation, planning, recording and collecting information and offer opportunities to analyse, interpret and synthesise literature. the ethical issues involved in engaging in research will be revisited.
Send Early Years
Send Early Years
The central aim of this module is to develop a critical understanding of the issues that surround special educational needs and disability (SEND) in society and early years settings, with particular reference to government policy initiatives and legislation. the history, economic and social dimensions of issues relating to special educational needs and disability will be explored, along with an analysis of the impact upon children, families and working practices. the origins and meanings of related terminology will be explored and debated. Students will be encouraged to analyse and reflect on their experiences of working with young children in education and/or care settings.
Understanding Children’s Behaviour
Understanding Children’s Behaviour
This module will enable you to develop knowledge and critical understanding of the differing theoretical perspectives on children’s behaviour in the Early Years.
You will critically analyse several factors relating to children’s specific needs, family, Early Years settings, wider society and culture: such as concepts and principles of inclusion.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore theories, significant and emerging, relating to the psychology of children’s behaviour.
Work Based Assessment 2
Work Based Assessment 2
This module will build on modules undertaken in the first year of the programme. You will be encouraged to keep a reflective journal which records your personal experiences during your time at the placement. Your practice will be interspersed with workshops and/or group tutorials in the university to share and debate ideas and issues and clarify expectations.
Working with Families in The Early Years
Working with Families in The Early Years
This module will enable y to explore the reciprocal relationships that need to exist between the early years setting, the child and their family. It will encourage you to develop a detailed understanding of the importance of partnership working for the child and their family in order to promote inclusion and collaboration. You will critically analyse legislation and policy that supports this key aspect of contemporary early years practice
Careers
Develop your career opportunities within early years professions
Our Foundation Degree Early Years course allows you to develop as a early childhood worker through an intermediate level of study.
In addition, the course prepares you to transfer onto our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Level 6 Top-Up programme to complete a full-degree in this area.
These options will allow you to develop your career working with young children and opens a multitude of potential avenues for your future.
Career paths include:
