BA (Hons) Early childhood studies (With Foundation Year)

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (With Foundation Year) at Wrexham University is a four-year program equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to work with children from birth to eight years. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through placements and provides a solid foundation in psychology, sociology, education, and health and wellbeing. Graduates are prepared for careers in early years education and beyond, including areas such as child psychology, social work, and education policy.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (With Foundation Year) program at Wrexham University is a four-year full-time course designed for students seeking a rewarding career working with children from birth to eight years. This dynamic and forward-thinking program emphasizes employability and equips graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for entering the workforce or pursuing further studies. The program's focus is on the holistic development of children and provides a solid foundation in the fields of psychology, sociology, education, and health and wellbeing.

Outline:

Foundation Year:

• Core Modules:
• Study Skills for Success: This module provides a foundation in academic conventions and time management skills.
• Resilience in Higher Education and Beyond: This module equips students with personal development and resilience skills needed for success in higher education and beyond.
• A Day in the Life: This module allows students to explore potential career options and prepare their graduate portfolio for employers.
• Life and Work in the Welsh Context: This module explores the subject area or desired career in relation to living and working in Wales.
• Optional Modules:
• Welsh for First Time Learners: Introduces students to the Welsh language.
• Numeracy: Suitable for students whose degrees require a strong level of numeracy.
• Professional Communication in the Workplace: Develops skills and aptitude necessary for effective communication in a professional context.

Year 1 (Level 4):

• Core Modules:
• Play and Outdoor Learning: Explores the importance of play and outdoor learning in children's lives and development.
• Contemporary Debates in Childhood and Education: Examines societal and environmental influences on childhood and education.
• Psychology of Childhood: Develops a psychological understanding of child development and considers how adults can influence children's development.
• Professional Practice for Childhood and Education: Prepares students for placement by exploring expectations, conduct, and ethical considerations in the workplace.
Includes a 6-week placement.
• Skills for Study and Employability: Focuses on building study and employability skills, including digital technology skills.

Year 2 (Level 5):

• Core Modules:
• Speech and Language Development in Early Childhood: Explores theories of language acquisition and their application to young children's language development.
• Social Action – Supporting Children and Families in Society: Examines informal education and the role of society in supporting children and families within communities.
• Children's Rights and the Law: Provides an understanding of the legal framework underpinning children's rights and the challenges of supporting these rights in practice.
• Practice Informed Research: This module introduces students to authentic work-based research and prepares them for their extended 8-week placement.
Students collect primary research data for their dissertation.

Year 3 (Level 6):

• Core Modules:
• Critical Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing: Develops a critical understanding of health and wellbeing in relation to young children and families.
• Exploring Expressive Arts: Examines the role of the expressive arts in education and childhood, with a focus on cultural and historic contexts and promoting social justice and equality.
• Leadership and Professional Development: Students explore leadership in practice and shadow a practitioner with leadership responsibilities during their 3-week placement.
They also begin to consider their own professional development for future employment.
• Dissertation: Students complete their dissertation based on primary research data collected in Level 5.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include presentations, portfolios, electronic scrapbooking, learning logs, and various forms of written work.

Teaching:

The program combines classroom-based learning with online materials.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for a range of career opportunities in the early years sector, including:

• Early Years Educator
• Nursery Nurse
• Childcare Practitioner
• Playworker
• Teacher (primary education)
• Childcare Manager
• Family Support Worker
• Social Worker
Graduates may also be equipped for further study in areas such as:
• Early Childhood Education
• Child Psychology
• Social Work
• Education Policy

Other:

• Wrexham University is ranked 1st in Wales and joint 2nd in the UK overall for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2025).
• The program includes placements in schools, nursery settings, local authorities, third sector organizations, and the private sector.
• The program provides additional training and qualifications such as Outdoor Learning, Makaton, and Paediatric First Aid.