Early Years Education

This degree will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to become an effective practitioner working with young children in a range of settings for the 0 – 8 age range.

With successive governments attempting to improve standards in the early years sector, a degree is increasingly being seen as desirable by employers in childhood settings, especially for those who aspire to managerial roles.

The BA (Hons) Early Years is aligned to professional standards, such as Early Years Educator (EYE), and the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) Graduate Competencies; these are nationally recognised and endorsed by the sector.

This BA (Hons) has been developed to promote best practice through the teaching of key theories in early years, such as child development, the status of children in society and the voice of the child. The work-based elements of the course enable you to reflect on experiences within a workplace/placement to enable you to link theory and policy with practice.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake significant and independent research projects on areas of interest linked to your professional practice which will support your developing career.

Inspiring guest lecturers contribute to this course by sharing their subject specialisms. Subject to government guidelines, students on this course may also be offered the opportunity to go on trips at an additional expense. In the past, this has included residential visits to The Gambia and Budapest. Please refer to our website for indicative costs.

Year 1

Understanding and observing child development
Childrens meaning making
Safeguarding young children
Becoming a reflective practitioner
Play, learning and pedagogy

Year 2

Promoting health and wellbeing
Children, families and communities
Engaging with research
Working with additional needs
Exploration, creativity and curriculum.

Year 3

Contemporary issues in the early years
Constructions of childhood,
Leadership and teamwork
The creative practitioner
Dissertation

Assessment is via a combination of practical assessments and coursework, and a work experience element totalling an average of 12 hours per week. There are no written exams on this degree.

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