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Early Childhood (T26)

  • CertHE
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  • Distance learning
  • 10/2026
  • Undergraduate
Distance Learning
Awarded by:
The Open University
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Helping children reach their full potential starts with understanding how they learn. This certificate is ideal for anyone interested in the learning and development of young children, including practitioners in early years settings or those looking for a career working with children from birth to seven. You’ll explore diverse perspectives on childhood, the importance of play and creativity, and how policy shapes early education. Through this, you’ll build a strong foundation in theory and practice. It also prepares you for further study and opens up opportunities to support young children and their families across a range of professional settings.

Key features of the course

  • Develops your understanding of young children’s learning and development

  • Focuses on young children’s play and creativity within the context of the family and early childhood settings

  • Includes national and international perspectives on early childhood

  • Builds a solid foundation for further study

Modules

This qualification has one stage comprising 120 credits. You’ll study two modules that explore how children learn, and the importance of children’s play.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Distance Learning

Study options

  • CertHE • Distance learning • 1 to 2 years

Start dates

  • 10/2026

Application codes

Institution code:
O11
Campus name:
Distance Learning
Campus Code:
D
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Open University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Application codes

Institution code:
O11
Campus name:
Distance Learning
Campus Code:
D

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

There are no qualification requirements for this course.

You do not need to be working with young children in order to study this qualification; however, in both core practice-focused modules we strongly recommend you gain direct experience with young children (birth to 7 years, 11 months).
Students not working with young children (employed or in a voluntary capacity) will need to negotiate opportunities to gain such practical experience. It is your responsibility and that of your employer – not the OU’s - to ensure the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or equivalent if not working in England) required for the setting and country in which you’re working is obtained and that you meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for work with young children. If you are in any doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more, contact the relevant agency in your country.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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.

Additional fee information

2026/2027 academic year fees are not yet available.

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