Childhood Studies

OVERVIEW
Build a career in childhood services with UWS’s BA (Hons) Childhood Studies programme.
Throughout this programme you will gain an understanding of the issues related to early childhood and services for children and families. You will learn about the values underpinning children’s services, and the importance of working in partnership with professionals from a range of disciplines. You will consider issues relating to the leadership of learning in early learning and childcare services.
To develop your practical knowledge, you’ll have the chance to complete two three-week blocks of work-based experience each year. In Year 3 you will have the option to complete placement in an international setting (currently available in Italy, Spain and Germany).

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

• This programme offers the opportunity to build a career supporting children and their families in a variety of environments.
• This programme will deepen your understanding of issues related to early childhood and services for children and families.
• Guest lectures from multi-agency professionals will increase your understanding of broader aspects relating to work within the early years sector.

NB: Students will be required to join Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme – see scotland.gov.uk

CAREERS
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies graduates have gained employment in integrated childcare
services with children under five years, out-of school care, and in project work offering support for children and their families in roles such as family support workers, early years practitioners, and NHS community nursery nurses.

Graduates also go on to postgraduate study, including at UWS, on programmes such as:
• Graduate Diploma Childhood Practice
• PGDE Primary
• MEd Education Studies
• MSc Social Work

Year two
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn about health and well-being, social justice and equality, holistic child development and develop your self-reflection skills. Leadership and teamwork skills are developed in a variety of early learning and childcare settings. You will also reflect on how to effectively support children’s communication and early literacy skills.

Year three
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn more about management and leadership skills in an early years setting. You will explore multi-agency working and the importance of providing effective integrated services. You will have opportunities to promote creativity across the curriculum. International policies and practices of early education and childcare are studied. You will be introduced to qualitative research methods and undertake a research project. There are opportunities to undertake an international placement.

Year four
The Honours year supports you to develop specialist knowledge and practice in an area of your own interest. You will also deepen your knowledge of the core themes of theory, research and practice through undertaking a research study and dissertation. You will have opportunities to explore inter-professional working through asset based approaches to supporting families. You will explore a range of pedagogical approaches to facilitating children’s play, learning and development.

The programme will be delivered using a blend of learning and teaching strategies. These include use of the UWS virtual learning environment (Moodle), Interactive Whiteboards, online tutor/student led discussions. Lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem based learning and work related learning will be used to develop student learning. At Level 10, the programme will be delivered partially online utilising a blended learning format of class sessions, tutorials and online activities. Throughout the programme learning and assessment will have a work based focus.

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