About this course
Introduction
This course has been developed to offer a Higher Education qualification for those working in or aspiring to work in the area of Early Years provision. It addresses the current sector requirements of both SureStart provision and the Children's Workforce Development Council (mindful of Early Years Professional Status for full honours graduates), although these are currently under review for September 2008. The degree seeks to enhance current working practices with regard to broad social and educational concerns within the professional context. The overall aims for the course are to:
- provide a coherent and relevant programme of study that enhances the ability of Early Years sector workers to work effectively within a range of childcare and educational settings;
- build upon your previous and current experience and qualifications to ensure recognition and formal accreditation of professional work where possible;
- study the educational processes and perspectives, embedded within their cultural, political and societal context;
- locate study and professional practice within an understanding of the significance of educational values and ethics, alongside a commitment to social justice;
- make full use of the opportunities and experiences in the workplace.
Structure
Content
Year 1
Core modules:
- Professional Practice: developing a reflective action research based approach (20 credits)
- Understanding the role of an Early Years Professional (20 credits)
- Early Years Principles, Policy and Practice (20 credits)
- Safeguarding Children (20 credits)
- Child Development (20 credits)
- Developing Partnership with parents and families (20 credits)
Year 2
Core modules:
- Professional Practice: The Curriculum and Planning for the Foundation Stage 0-5 years (20 credits)
- Communication, Language and Literacy, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (10 credits)
- Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy and Knowledge and Understanding of the World (10 credits)
- Creative Development and Physical Development (10 credits)
- Independent Study (10 credits)
- Behaviour for Learning (20 credits)
- Foundations for Children with additional educational needs (20 credits)
Option modules
Choice to be agreed with college staff; please note that not all modules will be offered:
- Introduction to Researching Children (20 credits)
- Voice of the Learner (20 credits)
- Developing shared sustained thinking in Children (20 credits)
- Perspectives on Play / Playful Learning (20 credits)
All modules are related to work; theory will inform practice and practice will inform theory.
Teaching and learning
A great deal of the teaching and learning on the course will take place in the workplace and at home. The course will run over 46 weeks of the year, some of this being entirely work-based learning. There will also be support via online learning for three further hours per week. Much use will be made of the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle), so access to the internet is an essential part of the course. Lecture notes and materials will be available electronically and some modules will require you to use IT to help you undertake and present your work.
You must be prepared to work for up to 1,000 hours in total including independent study for each year of the course.
Assessment
A number of methods will be used, including tutor-assessed group and individual written and oral assignments together with self-assessment and peer-assessment; essays, project work and examinations. Assessment requirements vary for each module but normally include a written assignment on a topic which might be negotiated with the module leader. Other approaches include short presentations, reflective journals and a portfolio of tasks.
To achieve the degree, you need to pass a total of 240 credits, 120 credits each year.
Careers/further study
You will develop skills in evaluation and enquiry, underpinned by the professional knowledge required to support and assist in the education of children and young people.
On successful completion of the foundation degree it is possible to progress to Level 3 of a BA(Hons) at UWE.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 80-120
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally need to have completed two years' work with students in an educational setting and have achieved a qualification in English/literacy and Mathematics/numeracy, equivalent to at least Level 2.
Students who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements but have significant life and/or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
When you complete your application, please quote the relevant campus code: Stroud College (U).
Further information can be obtained from the HE Department at Stroud College on +44 (0)1453 763424 or +44 (0)1453 753543 or e-mail HigherEd@stroudcol.ac.uk or UWE admissions on +44(0)117 3283333 or email admissions@uwe.ac.uk. More information is also available online at http://develop.ucas.com/FDCourseSearch/Gateway.html. Find out more about the UWE Federation.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011