Course overview

Are you passionate about the care and education of children or do you aspire to support children and families?

The Foundation Degree in Early Years is offered as a Full-time two-year course or a Part-time three year course and is designed to allow you to work while studying. It enables you to develop your professional knowledge, skills and attributes to enhance your career options in the early years or family support sector.

The Foundation Degree in Early Years course has
two pathway options:-

FdA Early Years (0-8yrs) pathway option (UCAS Code: FEYP) is for students joining who have already met the requirements for EYE (Level 3 full and relevant /approved qualification) and wish to extend their knowledge and professional practice.

FdA Early Years (0-8yrs) (Professional Practice) pathway option (UCAS Code: FDEY) meets the requirements for Early Years Educator (EYE approved qualification) (including over 350 hours of practice in an Ofsted registered setting which can be paid employment). This enables students to meet the “full and relevant” approved qualification requirement for practice in an early years setting.

STAFF EXPERIENCE
The team are highly qualified with full Honours Degrees or Masters in Education. Other qualifications include QTLS, PGCE, qualified head teacher (NPQH).

All staff are experienced practitioners in the childcare industry in both preschool and school environments. They are therefore able to offer clear insights into day- to- day practice which supports the theory, both of which are necessary to study at this level. Specialist areas of additional experience: English, play work, early years, school Based Practice.

DELIVERY INFORMATION
Classroom lectures and workshops, discussion groups, on-line learning and
independent research.

Full-time Course - One and a half days per week (for 22 weeks term-time) for taught sessions plus 2 days minimum of practice based work (paid employment) or voluntary placement per week. Approximately 12 hours per week guided independent study.

Part-time Course - One day per week ( for 22 weeks term-time) for taught sessions plus 7 hours minimum of practice based work (paid employment) or voluntary placement per week. Approximately 9 hours per week guided independent study.

Entry requirements

• Mature applicants are welcome to apply for non-standard entry.
• Minimum of four GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above or alternative qualifications.
• Evidence of Level 2 Literacy, for example key skills / Functional Skills at Level 2 or GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above. Non-standard entry also possible.
• 32 UCAS Tariff points: Acceptable qualifications include a minimum of 1 A Level or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, for example the CACHE Diploma or Edexcel BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development.
• All applicants are required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring
Service Check. A reference that supports the student’s commitment and suitability for the course is also required. •
• NB: For the Early Years (0-8) pathway, if you do not have evidence of Literacy at Level 2, it will be necessary to complete a non-standard entry essay to demonstrate competence in written English. For those taking the Professional Practice Pathway, if you do not have evidence of L2 numeracy, you will be advised about strategies during interview, as it is requirement of the ‘full and relevant’/approved qualifications for early years.

Course Modules

Students on the Full-time course for both pathways options will study the following Level 4 and Level 5 modules over two years:

Year 1:-
• The Developing Child
• Health and Well-Being
• Playful Pedagogy
• Plus the relevant pathway module – see below*

Year 2:-
• Childhood: a Global Perspective
• Policy into Practice
• Safeguarding Children’s Welfare in the Early Years & Integrating Our work with Other Agencies.
• Plus the relevant pathway module – see below*

*The pathway modules:-
FdA Early Years (0-8yrs): Introduction to Work-Based Learning (Yr. 1); Small- Scale Practice Based Enquiry and Future Progression (Yr. 2)

FdA Early Years (0-8yrs) (Professional Practice): Theory for the Early Years Foundation Graduate (Yr. 1); Early Educator Small Scale Practice-Based Enquiry (Yr.2)

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is all course work based; there are no formal examinations. The assignments link theory directly to practice and aim to develop the student as a reflective practitioner and focus on enhancing the quality of provision for children and families in the early years.

What can I do next

The FDEY will qualify you for a range of careers in the early years sector, including day nurseries, family support work, social care, children’s centres, children’s voluntary organisations and nursery management. With further qualifications you can enter Primary Teacher Training.

You can progress from the FDEY to a BA (Hons) Top-Up degree in Integrated Working with Children and Families (Level 6) at the University of Worcester, or a similar degree at a university. After gaining Level 6, you can then apply for teacher training on a one-year PGCE course. NB: PGCE courses require GCSE English, maths and science at C grade.