Early Childhood Studies

The FdA in Early Childhood Studies is a two-year foundation degree programme designed for those already working in early years care and education, or primary school settings, and want to take the next step in their professional journey. It offers the chance to explore how children learn, play, and develop in greater depth, while you continue in your current role. Throughout the course you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your own practice, try out new ideas in your setting, and build the skills and confidence needed to progress your career.

The FdA programme is studied one day a week over two academic years, offering a flexible and accessible route for learners balancing work, study, and personal commitments. The programme is delivered across three semesters each year, with students typically completing two modules per semester. Assessment is varied and may include written assignments, presentations, reflections, or practice-based projects.

Work-based learning is central to the course, allowing you to apply new ideas and theoretical perspectives directly within your professional role. This integrated approach helps you make meaningful connections between academic study and your everyday practice, building confidence, competence, and a deeper understanding of how children learn, play, and develop.

The course is structured across academic Levels 4 and 5, guiding you through a clear progression of learning over the two years. As you advance, you’ll explore key themes such as child development, safeguarding, inclusive practice, working with families, and professional reflection. Each module is designed to strengthen your skills and broaden your understanding of early years education, preparing you for continued professional development or progression to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Status – Top up.

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures.

When not attending lectures, seminars and practicals or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations.

You will study the following 20-credit Level 4 modules throughout the first year. These are complemented by a Work-Based Learning module, which runs alongside your studies and allows you to record and reflect on your placement experiences. As part of this module, you will also complete an assessed observation within your workplace or placement setting, providing an opportunity to demonstrate your developing professional skills in practice.

Academic Practice
Professional Practice: Becoming a Professional Practice
The Developing Child
Welfare and Safeguarding
Observing and Supporting the Developing Child
Understanding and Supporting SEND
Work-Based Learning 1

You will study the following 20-credit Level 5 modules throughout the second year. These are complemented by a Work-Based Learning module, which runs alongside your studies and allows you to record and reflect on your placement experiences. As part of this module, you will also complete an assessed observation within your workplace or placement setting, providing an opportunity to demonstrate your developing professional skills in practice.

Health in Children
Professional Practice: Exploring the Curriculum
Enabling Environments (FdA)
Introduction to Early Childhood Research (FdA)
Global Perspectives in Early Childhood Education
Children’s Rights
Work-Based Learning 2

Work Based Learning

You will undertake work-based learning either through a relevant early years or education setting. Work-based learning forms a central part of your foundation degree (FdA) and enables you to apply theory directly to practice in real early years and educational settings.

Work-based learning is assessed through dedicated Work-Based Learning modules that run across each year of study and include mentoring, reflective logs, and observed practice by mentors and University Centre Colchester staff.

Across the two years, you will complete a minimum of 55 days of assessed placement experience in a range of early childhood settings, schools, or relevant health and social care contexts, typically working with children aged 0–8 years.

Level 4: 25 days (students with a full and relevant Level 3 qualification may APEL up to 5 days)
Level 5: 30 days

To make sure you’re well supported, all placements must include appropriate mentoring and opportunities for observation and assessment.

The course follows the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) requirements for Graduate Practitioner Competencies which you may choose to follow; this is important as it allows you to apply for Graduate Practitioner Status if you choose the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Status – Top Up route after you complete your studies (although this is not compulsory). You will gain experience across different age ranges and roles, including at least one day’s placement outside your usual setting. We recognise that employed students may work with children outside the 0–8 age range; however, you will still be expected to provide evidence of practice within this age range to meet the course requirements if you wish to be considered for Graduate Practitioner Status.

The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.