Early Childhood Studies (HTQ)

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies has been newly revalidated and is aimed at students who are working, or who have a desire to work, in the rapidly changing Early Childcare and education sector (ECEC). The programme has been aligned with the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQs) occupational standards for the Early Years Lead Practitioner.

Early Childhood Studies is an established discipline, focusing upon on the holistic development of infants and young children from conception to the age of eight, enabling those who graduate to work a wide range of professional roles and/or progress onto postgraduate study, such as the BA (Honours) Top Up. The discipline draws upon a wide range of academic discourse covering a broad range of topics relevant to childhood, development, professional roles, family, policy, legislation, neuroscience, leadership and management, inequalities, pedagogy, curriculum, and health, to name a few (QAA ECS Benchmark Statements 2022). As such, our Early Childhood Studies graduates act as advocates for children, their families and professionals working in the sector.

Our qualification will allow you to learn in the latest classroom environments, such as, a Sensory Learning Room and Immersive Learning Suite so you can experience the latest digital technologies in your chosen careers.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 4 Modules

Developing Reflective Practice
Preparation for Research
Child Development
Pedagogy and Play
Working with Families and Professionals
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Level 5 Modules

Developing Critical Awareness
Research Project
Leading Quality Provision
Inclusive Environments
Contemporary Issues
Safeguarding

Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout the student learning experience. This incorporates standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. For many modules’ students will be given a choice of assessment so they can choose which assessment suits them the best. Examples of assessment activity includes:

Summative Assessments

Professional Discussions
Essays
Online e-Portfolios
Multi-media platforms
Reports
Rationale
Newsletter
Group presentations
Individual presentation
Research Projects
Good Practice Guides
Formative Assessments

Draft portals
Recap
Peer assessment
Group assessment
Seminars
Reading Club
Think, pair, share
Pose, pause, pass questioning technique.
Strategic questioning
Formal formative feedback through VLE within the modules

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