Education and Early Years

It is widely acknowledged that the early years are the most critical time in a child’s life and development. With a focus on early education and care.

The modules covered over the duration of the course will enable you to gain the skills, knowledge and understanding to become an effective, high-quality early years professional. Students will complete placements within educational settings as part of the course, developing employability skills for a career in education and the wider childcare sector.

Modules are delivered by a team of expert lecturers who have extensive professional experience in early years and primary school education, in range of roles within the private, voluntary and independent sector.

Modules are delivered through a variety of hands on and engaging lectures, seminars, creative and practical workshops; enriched with relevant visits and guest speakers.

Course Modules

Year 1:
Professional Practice with Placement
Academic and Professional Development
Learning and Development
Working with People in Teams
Society, Families and Children

Year 2:
Professional Practice 2 with Placement
Safeguarding
Research Methods
The Developing Child
Early Literacy and Mathematics

Year 3:
Major Study
Health and Wellbeing
Supporting children’s Learning
Global Perspectives and Ideologies
EAL and Effective Practice

Learning takes place through lectures, seminars, group discussions and workshops, in order to develop a knowledge and understanding of a range of relevant topics.

Staff at UCO have cultivated a creative approach to teaching on this degree based on the theory that students learn best through hands-on activities and a play-based approach to learning. Lectures are interactive and involve students understanding theory and knowledge through group work, debates, professional discussions, creative tasks and activities.

Assessments are varied and designed to enable students to develop their academic writing skills. In addition, there are a range of tasks assessments through other methods such as presentations, group tasks, creating posters, booklet and oral assessments.