Foundation Degree Early Childhood Education in Practice

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice is a work-based degree program designed for individuals with a Foundation Degree or Higher Education Diploma in Early Childhood Education. It seamlessly blends practice-based learning with on-campus teaching sessions, allowing participants to maintain their current work or volunteer commitments while deepening their understanding of children's learning and development, enhancing their employability, and meeting the Department for Education's Full and Relevancy Criteria for professional qualifications.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Overview:

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice is a work-based degree program designed for individuals who have already completed a Foundation Degree or Higher Education Diploma in Early Childhood Education. This program offers a unique opportunity to seamlessly blend practice-based learning with on-campus teaching sessions, allowing you to maintain your current work or volunteer commitments.

Objectives:

• Deepen understanding of children's learning and development.
• Enhance employability through collaboration with students from diverse educational contexts.
• Engage in research methods, ethical considerations, and report writing to contribute to the field of early childhood education.
• Meet the Department for Education's Full and Relevancy Criteria for professional qualifications.

Course Description:

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice program provides a comprehensive exploration into effective management and leadership within the children's workforce. Participants integrate their previous learning experience of working with young children, exploring complex factors contributing to their development. Additionally, the program:

• Encourages critical thinking and analysis through an in-depth look at a pertinent critical issue in the early childhood field.
• Provides opportunity to study key aspects of professional practice, including leadership and management.
• Develops reflective, critical, and ethical practice through theoretical perspectives and legal frameworks.
• Emphasizes multi-agency and collaborative working with a focus on dynamic change within the sector.

Other:

The program aligns closely with the Department for Education's full and relevant criteria. It includes elements of assessed practice, and for individuals to be considered full and relevant, they require English at Level 2.

Outline

Course Content:

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice program covers a range of modules focused on contemporary perspectives in early childhood education, research, professional practice, and leadership.

Structure:

The program operates with one weekly session starting from 1 pm, designed to fit with your existing work or volunteer schedule.

Schedule:

• Semester 1:
Child in the World, Critical Issues in Professional Practice, Independent Study Part 1: Introduction to Research at Level 6
• Semester 2:
Professional Practice and Leadership, Independent Study Part 2

Modules:

Child in the World:

explores contemporary perspectives in early childhood education from ages 0-8, examining principles and values for diverse practices, supporting learning, and promoting transitions.

Critical Issues in Professional Practice:

develops critical thinking skills through exploring a current or potential critical issue within the field of early childhood, examining its political, social, and economic drivers and implications for practice.

Independent Study Part 1: Introduction to Research at Level 6:

introduces research planning and design, guiding you through research question formation, method selection, and ethical considerations, culminating in a research proposal.

Independent Study Part 2:

involves conducting a small-scale research project related to your work with children, young people, and/or families, applying knowledge and research skills developed throughout your studies.

Professional Practice and Leadership:

adopts a work-based and problem-solving pedagogy, enabling application of learning to your practical context with reflections on work-based experience. Examines key aspects of professionalism like reflective, critical, and ethical practice alongside relevant theoretical perspectives. Explores legal frameworks, national standards, and leading practice for collaborative working and facilitating change.

Assessment

Assessment methods utilize various approaches depending on the module, including presentations, discussions, debates, essays, case studies, reflections, and project-based work. All assessments encourage reflection on practice and theoretical understanding while allowing you to demonstrate your learning, communication skills, and knowledge sharing capabilities.

Teaching

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice program combines on-campus teaching sessions with continued work or volunteer experience. Teaching strategies include interactive lectures, seminars, discussions, tutorials, and online platforms (VLE) for collaboration, sharing insights on work-based practices. The program benefits from the expertise of faculty with extensive experience in their field, such as:

• Dr. Nyree-Anne Nicholson, Programme Leader
• Tara May

Careers

Potential career paths after program completion:

• Management positions within early childhood settings
• Further studies through PGCE routes leading to becoming a teacher
• Professional roles in areas like special educational needs, mentoring, and school support
• Roles focusing on children, family, and welfare within the broader educational community
• Local authority positions working with diverse age groups and sectors

Other:

The program features student testimonials praising the learning experience at BGU, highlighting the friendly and supportive environment, staff commitment to individual support, and personal and academic growth opportunities.