Early Years Practice

The FdA Early Years Practice is a brand new course, specifically designed to provide an opportunity for you to focus your studies on the educational experience provided for children aged 0-5 years of age. You will gain all of the necessary skills to understand how to provide the support and guidance needed for a career within the Early Years sector. It is also a platform from which students can undertake additional academic and in some instances professional vocational qualifications.

This course will develop your understanding of child development making clear links between theory and practice and the importance of work placement, in collaboration with employers. A strong emphasis on linking theory to practice will be undertaken during year 1 to provide a solid foundation through which students are able to progress into year 2 and each work placement modules. This course offers students the opportunity to achieve Level 3 Early Years Educator status alongside the FdA as the course has been mapped to the new 2024 Department for Education Early Years Educator status and is recognised as a full and relevant qualification for working within the Early Years.

You will explore key theories within the practice of teaching and the development of learning, these include theoretical perspectives from both past and current contexts. The course helps students to explore the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, examining the issues and practicalities related to planning and assessment, and provides opportunities to look ahead to the National Curriculum to support developing curriculum knowledge and pupil transition. The course has a strong educational and curriculum emphasis and supports a range of new educational initiatives and policies. The course encourages key teaching, learning and communication skills, relevant to employment within the Early Years.

The FdA Early Years Practice prepares you for employability in the Early Years sector as it increases your understanding of children’s learning and development. Some modules are shared with the FdA Childhood Education to develop support and confidence when supporting transitions. There are stand-alone modules that focus on the Early Years planning and delivery of curriculum subjects and professional practice continues throughout both years to enable you to develop your confidence in the setting and as an Early Years Practitioner. Graduates are suitably prepared to pursue careers in a nursery, preschool or other Early Years provision.

Upon completion of the FdA Early Years Practice, students may be suited to work in a variety of settings and these opportunities include, but are not limited to working as reception class support, Nursery Practitioner and can count in Level 3 staff:child ratios.
Students undertaking the FdA Early Years Practice may alternatively progress onto the following degrees:
• BA (Hons) Education and Training (University Centre Truro & Penwith)
• BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studies (University Centre Truro & Penwith)
• BSc (Hons) Applied Social Science (University Centre Truro & Penwith)
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (University of Plymouth)
• BA (Hons) Education Studies (University of Plymouth)

Year 1
Psychology of Learning and Development
Interpersonal Relationships and Teamworking
Early Years Curriculum, Planning and Assessment
Special Educational Needs and Disability
Professional Practice within the Early Years

Year 2
Education and Society
Alternative Learning Environments
Curriculum: English and Mathematics
Leading in the Early Years Curriculum
Educational Research
Critical Professional Practice within the Early Years

Modules may be subject to change

Assessments are through essays, reports, presentations, curriculum resource planning and professional practice portfolio reflections and evidence.

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