Course Overview
The Childhood Studies (Early Years Pathway) Foundation Degree is designed for students working or volunteering in early years settings, including nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, and schools. The programme combines academic study with work-based learning, giving students a thorough understanding of childhood, early learning and development, play, pedagogy, inclusion, and safeguarding within contemporary policy and practice.
You will study topics such as early child development, the pedagogy of play, curriculum and policy, influences on behaviour, and supporting children with additional needs. They also develop essential professional skills including reflection, communication, collaboration, and leadership, enabling them to apply theory to practice and practice to theory throughout their learning.
The course is structured across Level 4 and Level 5 modules, ensuring students build a strong foundation in both academic knowledge and practical expertise. Alongside professional skills, students enhance their academic, digital, and information literacy, preparing them for further study or career progression.
Graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in early years education, supporting children’s learning and development across a variety of settings. The programme also provides a clear pathway to Level 6 study through the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies Top-Up, allowing students to continue developing their knowledge and professional opportunities in the sector.
Level 4 Modules:
Safeguarding & Early Intervention
Academic & Professional Skills
Inclusivity
Curriculum & Policy
Early Child Development & the Pedagogy of Play
Reflecting on Professional Practice
Level 5 Modules:
Academic Research & Professional Development
Understanding the World of the Child
Influences on Behaviour
Collaborative Practice
SEND in Practice
Developing Critical Reflection
Important Links:
Click HERE for the programme specification.
For a full list of the University Centre’s regulations and policies please click HERE.
Click HERE for The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards.
Click HERE for the University Centre Terms & Conditions.
Progression
On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, students may progress to BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (Top-Up), selecting the aligned pathway (including Early Years).
The programme also supports progression within employment into roles with increased responsibility, subject to employer requirements and sector expectations.
Career Opportunities
Early Years Practitioner, Teaching Assistant, Child Development Support Officer, Playworker
Level 4 Modules:
Safeguarding & Early Intervention
Academic & Professional Skills
Inclusivity
Curriculum & Policy
Early Child Development & the Pedagogy of Play
Reflecting on Professional Practice
Level 5 Modules:
Academic Research & Professional Development
Understanding the World of the Child
Influences on Behaviour
Collaborative Practice
SEND in Practice
Developing Critical Reflection
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:
The following entry points are available for this course:
Applicants are expected to be in relevant employment or structured volunteering (normally at least 12 hours per week) in an early years/childhood setting for the duration of the programme, to support work-related learning and assessment.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
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Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Email:admissions@calderdale.ac.uk
Phone:01422 399316
Email:admissions@calderdale.ac.uk
Phone:01422 399316
Fax: 01422 399320
Francis Street
Halifax
HX1 3UZ
At University Centre Calderdale College
