Early Years Development and Education
Course summary
This course provides a broad foundation of knowledge and skills required to work with young children. It is designed to provide students with a 'licence to practice' in an early years setting.
This course is written to support the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework from birth to reception class. Knowledge and skills will also cover up to 7 years 11 months (Key Stage 1). The course relies heavily on work-based learning and therefore students complete work placements where they will apply and practise theory and use their workplace experience in a range of assessment tasks.
On successful completion of the FdA Early Years Development and Education course, you will be able to practice at the DfE approved Level 3 ratios in an Early Years setting. All successful students have the opportunity to apply for the BA (Hons) Early Years, Childhood and Education Studies course validated in partnership with Coventry University, with just one further year of part-time study at Warwickshire College and University Centre.
This award carries the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) kitemark aligned to the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner standard.
All FdA Early Years Development and Education students must undertake 600 hours of work based placement learning. Students will normally undertake 200 hours per year and are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours at Level 4 in order to progress to Level 5.
Students can normally expect to undertake a study pattern of 2 days in work placement, 2 days in college and one day focused on independent study. The college supports flexible approaches to completing these hours including during evenings, weekends and holidays.
The course is designed for full-time students and as such, there is a great deal of support for students who are new to study at this level.
Depending on applicant numbers for Rugby College, it may be necessary to consolidate the course for delivery at our Royal Leamington Spa College.
This course is delivered and awarded by Warwickshire College and is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).
For our Higher Education Terms and Conditions please visit https://wcg.ac.uk/page/701/terms-and-conditions
This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.
Learn more about Higher Technical QualificationsWays to study this course
Campuses
- Royal Leamington Spa College
- Rugby College
Study options
- FdA • Full-time • 2 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Application codes
- Course code:
- X377
- Institution code:
- W25
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Warwickshire College and University Centre has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Course code:
- X377
- Institution code:
- W25
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
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Course options