Program Overview
This work-based BA in Children's Development and Learning develops your skills in the children's workforce, connecting education theory to your day-to-day job. The program focuses on leadership, management, and child development, empowering you to advance your career in education, health, or social care. 100% of graduates in the National Student Survey 2023 reported highly developed knowledge and skills for their future careers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Study BA Children's Development and Learning and develop your skills in the children’s workforce with a vocational degree that relates directly to your work. This course is a work-based route to a broad degree in education that enables students to progress to teacher training (such as EYTS or QTS). The majority of your assignments will be based around the tasks you complete as part of your job, enabling you to apply your skills directly to the workplace. In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said that their knowledge and skills for the future were developed well or very well (100% of respondents studying BA Children's Development and Learning). This course enables you to convert a Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning or equivalent to a full BA. You do not have to have taken your initial degree through the University of Reading's partner colleges. It is aimed at early years and education professionals who work with children up to the age of 11 and is based on an attendance pattern of one day per week. This vocational degree is a work-based course, and the majority of your assignments will be based around the tasks you complete as part of your job. This enables you to apply your newly learned skills directly to the workplace. All lessons are interactive and underpinned by theoretical information and research. You will cover a range of topics including child development, reflective practice, providing children’s services, and organization for management and leadership. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Outline:
Year 1
Compulsory modules:
- Children's Development: Expand your understanding on the role that child development has on childcare and educational theory and practice. You will consider the worlds of psychology, anthropology, education, sociology, neuroscience and literature and the way these different perspectives add to our understanding of children.
- Reflective Leadership of Learning: Learn how leadership and management are essential aspects of your work as you study relevant theories and identify organizational culture in school. You will consider the impact of environment, curriculum and pedagogy on children’s well being and address issues of equality and diversity that affect aspects of organizational life.
- Providing Children's Services: Gain a broader understanding on the political and legislative context within which various forms of education and childcare have developed. You will explore shifting ideologies underpinning attempts to reform children’s services over recent times and the notion of an integrated children’s workforce.
- Dissertation in Children’s Development and Learning: Engage in educational research through professional inquiry in a systematic, rigorous, critical and self-analytical manner.
Careers:
This course will provide you with a range of skills that will enable you to further your career as a professional working with children. It aims to equip you with the knowledge needed to effectively support them, monitor their development and achievements, and respond to changing circumstances. Additionally, you will be well-placed to go on to further training for a range of careers within education, health and social care.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs.
