Early Childhood Studies

Develop your understanding of working with young children, on this two-year foundation degree course. The course is a great option for existing Early Years practitioners or those who are looking at joining the sector, whilst working with children aged 0-8 years.

Expand your understanding of the theoretical and practical elements of working with children aged 0 to 8 years. The lectures and assessment tasks will enhance your knowledge and experience of the Early Years, through teaching and discussion on a wide range of topics; from child development and learning to international perspectives and professional practice.

Alongside lectures, you will learn on the job, through participating in placement activities. Therefore you are required to have a position (paid or voluntary) in an Early Years setting.

By the end of the course you will have the knowledge to work within and support, a variety of Early Years settings. Alongside this comes an increased understanding of relevant legislation's and curricula, the importance of providing high-quality care and education to young children, and an awareness of how you can enhance young children’s experiences to support them in reaching their potential.

The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities, a typical class size is under 20 students. Students will be taught one day a week each semester, over two semesters per academic year. The course duration is two academic years.

Please note - it is possible that this course may become an approved Higher Technical Qualification.

What can this course lead to?
After successful completion of the FD Early Years and Education, you have the opportunity to progress to the BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-up) course at University Centre Peterborough to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study. Following this, many of our graduates proceed to Initial Teacher Training in order to pursue a career as a qualified teacher.

The course can lead to a broad range of future careers with a focus upon children and families.

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)
Play Therapist
Early Years / Primary School Teacher
Education / Nursery Management
Special Needs Coordinator
Family Support Worker
Children’s Centre Management
Education Welfare Officer
Social Worker
Learning Mentor
Note that some careers may require further study or experience beyond the Foundation Degree.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Introduction to the EYFS & National Curriculum (15 credits)
Planning & Assessing Early Years Opportunities (30 credits)
Academic & Professional Practice 1: The Early Years (30 credits)
Child Development and Learning (30 credits)
Children's Mental Health & Wellbeing (15 credits)

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
Safeguarding Children and Young People (30 credits)
International Perspectives of Childhood Education & Care (30 credits)
Inequality & Disadvantage in Early Education (15 credits)
Literacy & Mathematics in the Early Years (15 credits)
Academic & Professional Practice 2: The Early Years (30 credits)

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
60% Course Work
40% Group Activities

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
60% Course Work
40% Group Activities

The following classifications are determined by the above calculation:
70%+ First
60-69% 2:1
50-59% 2:2
40-49% Third

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS