Course Overview

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. As a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ), this course has been designed to focus on employers’ requirements. It enables you to develop your professional knowledge, skills and attributes to care for and teach children, or support families, in a wide range of career options.

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

FdA Early Years (0-8yrs) (Professional Practice) pathway option (UCAS Code: FDEY): This pathway will ensure you meet the Early Years Educator (EYE) standards and achieve 'Full and Relevant' status with the DfE by the end of the course, which means you can be included in staff-to-child ratios within Ofsted registered settings. You will complete 770 hours of practice in an Ofsted registered setting which can be paid employment.) This pathway will enable you to work within the early years or to progress to a teaching career or within the family support sector.

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 status) and wish to extend their knowledge and professional practice. You will complete 770 hours of practice in an Ofsted registered setting which can be paid employment. This pathway will enable you to further develop your skills and experience within early years or to progress to a teaching career or within the child and family support sector.

DELIVERY INFORMATION
Classroom lectures and workshops, discussion groups, on-line learning and
independent research. We specialise in small group delivery.

Students will need a computer and internet access for studying at home.

Entry requirements

• Mature applicants are welcome to apply for non-standard entry.

• 32 UCAS Tariff points: Acceptable qualifications include a minimum of 1 A Level or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, for example: T Level Education & Childcare, CACHE Diploma or Edexcel BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development.

• 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 or Literature at Grade C/4 or above. Non-standard entry also possible.

• Holding a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

• Passing the prohibition list and criminal record checks

• If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required

All applicants are required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. A reference that supports the student’s commitment and subscribe to the DBS Up-dating Service.

NB: For the Early Years (0-8) professional 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.

Mature Applicants: If you will be over the age of 21 at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you are considered a mature student. This means our offer may be different, taking into account any work or life experiences you have, alongside any qualifications you hold.

The College has a commitment to widening participation in Higher Education and will, therefore, give careful consideration to prior experiential learning, non-traditional qualifications and qualifications obtained outside of the United Kingdom. We welcome applications from experienced and mature practitioners who do not have the standard qualifications. On the application form, please state “non-standard entry route”.

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)

Part-time students will study three modules per year in Year 1 and 2, and two modules in Year 3.

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 and related professions, such as SEN and family support work. For the Early Years (0-8) professional pathway, there will also be observation of practice in the work place.

What can I do next

The FDEY will qualify you for a range of careers in the early years and care sectors, 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. (NB: Teacher training requires English, math sand science at GCSE C/4.)

The FDEY course enables progression onto Level 6 Top-Up courses, for example at the University of Worcester:
• Teaching in Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons) Top-Up
• Integrated Working with Children and Families BA (Hons) Top-Up
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health BSc (Hons) Top Up
• Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion BA (Hons)- join Level 6 year
• Early Childhood-Social Pedagogy BA (Hons) – join Level 6 year