BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)

This degree takes a holistic approach to the development of young children, from birth to the age of eight and provides opportunities to apply this learning in placement settings. This course covers children’s development and learning in the context of the family, the community, and wider national and international contexts. This will enable you to develop your skills as a practitioner and apply your knowledge to practice. The course is delivered on campus 2 days a week, with a requirement of 2 days placement per week.

Modules studied:
Level 4
Children, Family and Society [20 credits]
Educational Continuum [20 credits]
Observation and Assessment [20 credits]
Safeguarding [20 credits]
Research and Foundational Theories [40 credits]

Level 5
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities [20 credits}
Employability [20 credits]
Multi Agency Working [20 credits]
Research and Contemporary Theories [40 credits}
Plus, one of the following options:
Option 1 Effective Pedagogy (0-4 year old) [20 credits]
Option 2 Effective Pedagogy (5-8 year old) [20 credits]

Level 6
The Reflective Practitioner [20 credits]
Early Years Dissertation [40 credits]
Innovation and Change [20 credits]
Language, Learning and Literacy [20 credits]
Current Issues and Contemporary Debates [20 credits]

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time
The programme will require extra time each week for private study to access study materials and engage with wider reading and research.

Teaching and Assessment methods

On this course you will be encouraged to become an active enquirer and participant in your own learning.

Progress and achievement are assessed using a variety of methods, such as essays, case studies, e-portfolios, poster and oral presentations, research, safeguarding exam and leaflet designs.

Observations within practice are required each year, to support the completion of the graduate competencies and achieve ‘full and relevant’ qualification status. Completion of the Graduate Competencies will be mapped.

Level 3 Qualifications:

32 UCAS Tariff Points- from at least 2 GCE A Levels or BTEC National qualifications or Access to HE Diploma in a related programme with at least 45 credits at Level 3.

Level 2 Requirements (GCSE level)
Grade 4/C in GCSE English and Mathematics.

This Graduate Practitioner pathway will ensure applicants hold a full and relevant degree on completion of the programme.

In line with the widening participation and lifelong learning strategy, we also welcome applications from people of any age who might not meet the standard entry criteria, but we would expect to see evidence of continuing academic and/or professional development and a capacity to pursue the course successfully.

As part of this programme of study you will be required to have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You will be required to pay the cost of this. A DBS must be in place before you start your placement. You may be able to supply an existing DBS but this must be within 3 years of issue.

This course is particularly relevant to people already working in or looking to develop a career within the early years workforce, primary teaching and social and community work.

This course provides a range of skills relevant across a variety of different professions. People who have completed this course have gone on to work in areas including primary school teaching, early years management and social work.

If you wish to continue studying beyond this course, it will provide you with a strong academic basis to do so. Course progression routes could include the MA in Education or MA in Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.