Early Years (Foundation Degree)

This course has been designed for those working with children from birth, within the Early Years Foundation Stage, to the end of the Reception Year in Schools. It includes those working or wishing to work as nannies and child minders providing that the children being cared for are within the relevant age range. The course is aimed at those who have a level three qualification and / or sufficient employment experience who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding in the field of early childhood.

Support Assistants working in Reception classes need to consider their future employment direction as the Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning Support may be more appropriate.

This course is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.

What Will I Study?
The course will provide students with the opportunity to examine policy, research and practice in early childhood education, provision and care. It will also enable you to research specific topics and themes directly relevant to your work. The course offers a flexible route towards higher education for people with varying levels of experience and will enable you to develop your professional career working in the childcare industry at a recognised level of independence and responsibility.

You will study the following modules in Year 1:

Developing and enhancing academic skills
Supporting curriculum delivery
Developing education and pedagogical approaches
Research skills
Teaching and professionalism
In Year 2, you will study:

Assessment in the curriculum
Safeguarding, working with families and professionals
Social pedagogy
SEND and inclusive education
Educational ethics and methodologies
Understanding and managing behaviour
You should expect to complete a minimum of least 4 or 5 hours additional work outside attendance at college per week. If you are working, relevant additional work may naturally occur in your workplace.

The course consists of three terms each year. In Year 1 you will study Developing & Enhancing Academic Skills allowing you to develop the skills necessary to be successful at degree level. Alongide this module you will focus on the Early Years Curriculum which provides an in depth look at all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum, including the Reception Year. In term 3 you will study Research Skills and Teaching and Professionalism. You will then undertake in Year 2 modules which include: Safeguarding , Inclusive Education, Social Pedagogy and Understanding and Managing Human Behaviour, Ethic and Methodology and Assessment in the Curriculum

Assessment includes essays, reports, individual and group presentations, case studies, research reports and several work based assignments. These strategies are also designed to enable the development of key transferable skills into the workplace. There are no examinations.