Early Years Care and Education

Overview
If you currently work with young children in an educational setting, have a level 3 qualification (such as a relevant Early Years NVQ), and you're looking to develop your career to university-level, this Foundation degree (FdA) in Early Years Care and Education will give you the professional recognition you need.

You’ll work with early years professionals to gain skills and knowledge that’ll serve you in helping young children realise their potential through fun, excitement and play.

You’ll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.

After the course, you'll be ready to take the next step in your career as an early years professional. You could also go on to do a Bachelor's degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies or use your Foundation degree to do training that leads to Qualified Teacher Status such as Early Years Teacher Training.

• Build your expertise as an early years professional by exploring theories and contemporary issues within education, such as curriculum planning, safeguarding and cognitive and language development

• Learn in supportive study groups, alongside other early years professionals from different backgrounds, and discover practical ways to put your new knowledge and skills to work

• Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies

• Study full-time at Isle of Wight College

• Have the option to begin the course in year 2 if you already have sufficient experience or qualifications (assessed on an individual basis)

Endorsed by:
The Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education has been validated by SEFDEY (Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years Professional Association) as meeting the criteria for Sector-Endorsement.

Careers and opportunities
This Early Years Care and Education Foundation degree (FdA) will enable you to progress in your existing career as an early years practitioner, opening up opportunities across the education sector that help shape children's younger formative years or to go on to further study, such as teacher training.

What can you do with an early years care and education foundation degree?
Once you graduate, you'll be ready to take on roles in areas such as:

• teaching assistance

• learning support assistance

• nursery management

• childcare development

You could also progress to a relevant Bachelor's top-up degree, such as BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up). Following this top-up course, you could go on to do teacher training through PGCE, SCITT or Early Years Initial Teacher Training programmes.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.
 
We design modules that have:
 
• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering
 
For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/fda-early-years-care-and-education#modules

You’ll be assessed through: case studies reflective reports essays presentations group work You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.