Early Years Care and Education
Entry requirements
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a relevant subject.
UCAS Tariff
Typical offer: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications).
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Inspire future generations on our Early Years Care and Education Foundation Degree. In West Yorkshire alone, childcare roles are among those that have seen the largest growth and employment in recent years (West Yorkshire Combined Authority, 2021). You could be among those securing employment in one of many sectors looking to employ people to work with children including the childcare, charity and voluntary, healthcare, social care, teaching and education sectors. Or you might want to consider working with children in other industries such as law, leisure, sport and tourism and public services and administration.
With a work-focused approach, you will gain vital academic skills alongside vital industry experience. Develop your understanding of safeguarding and build on your language development knowledge, whilst learning how to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all. This is the ideal degree to begin your future in childcare roles such as:
- Early years or nursery practitioner
- Nursery Lead
- Nursery Manager
- Childcare or early years assistant
- Classroom or learning support assistant
Become a teacher in three years with our Foundation and Top-Up degree route. After this foundation degree, you may go on to study our Top-Up degree to gain a full BA (Hons) degree (with QTS).
Modules
You will study 120 credits per year and modules may include:
Year 1 (Level 4)
Skills for Academic Development (20 credits) Develop your academic research, report writing, presentation, evaluation, and referencing skills that will allow you to succeed on this course. You will also gain practical skills to become a reflective practitioner and effective decision maker.
Enabling Learning Environments (20 credits) Gain an understanding of pedagogical practices to support young children’s learning and development. You will develop the skills to provide meaningful learning opportunities through planning supportive environments.
Supporting Holistic Development (20 credits) Learn to recognise and plan for all areas of children’s development and to take into consideration the developmental stages and support needs of the child. You will gain knowledge of the theoretical perspectives of development and learning and the established patterns and sequences in children’s learning and development; physical; cognitive; linguistic; emotional and social development. This will include considerations of inclusion and inclusive practices, equality and diversity, and ethical practices.
Supporting the Unique Child (20 credits) Further your knowledge of children with additional requirements and identify how to meet their needs promoting an inclusive environment. You will gain the skills and knowledge needed to support children’s individuality to achieve their full potential.
Safeguarding (20 credits) You will learn what is meant by safeguarding and how it is fundamental in any childcare profession. Explore and apply key theories, concepts and principles of safeguarding to contemporary practices, to support families within the legislative framework.
Developing Pedagogical Practice (20 credits) This module will teach you the best practice in the sector and provide opportunities to help you develop these skills. You will evaluate theory, values and principles when planning learning opportunities for children and young people. You will also gain practical skills through the planning, preparing and delivering of a micro-teach that evidences effective communication and evaluation skills.
Year 2 (Level 5)
Learning in the Early Years (20 credits) You will explore and critique historical and contemporary developments in technology that have changed the way in which the brain is understood and how children learn and evolve in the early years.
Speech and Language Development (20 credits) Through this module you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to enable you to plan and appropriately support the acquisition and development of language in children.
Leadership and Management (20 credits) Learn to reflect on your own personal and professional practice whilst developing the ability to identify and resolve issues that arise from working as part of a team. You will also explore key concepts and principles in leadership and management to help you advance in the sector.
Research Informed Practice (20 credits) This exciting module enables you to carry out a research project in the childcare sector to enhance professional practice.
Social Policy and Families (20 credits) This module is designed for you to acquire knowledge of social policy relating to children and families and to reflect on personal values and how these align with contemporary social policies.
Enhancing Professional Practice (20 credits) Within this module you will carry out detailed evaluation of the professional skills and competencies required when working in the sector, and evaluate your own personal and professional skills and knowledge relating to these. You will demonstrate how you have used reflective practice over the duration of the course and be able to provide evidence of your personal, professional, and employability skills as a reflective practitioner.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods have been designed in consultation with employers, to reflect the activities you would be expected to do in the workplace and the skills that employers are looking for. Assessment methods may include:
- Observation and planning for children and young people’s learning
- Case studies
- Presentations
- Group discussions
- Evaluations
- Peer reviews
- Work related small scale project
- Reflective journal
- Professional development plan
- Induction booklet
- Micro-teach
- Teaching interventions
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
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