Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner)

This exciting course is designed to support those wishing to work in a variety of early childhood settings and children services. It will develop highly skilled, flexible, and creative early childhood practitioners that are able to meet the challenges presented by change and innovation in early childhood professional contexts.

The BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies pathway enables graduating students a qualification with ‘Full and Relevant’ status, meaning that they are well equipped to practice within early years settings. This qualification can greatly support employability, with Graduate Practitioners being eligible for inclusion ‘in ratio’ for their settings.

This course maps student progress against the Graduate Competencies in terms of knowledge, skills and practice, as observed through assignments and observations within settings across the 0-8 age range. This enables both theory and practice to be developed, effectively equipping graduates for their careers within the sector.

This degree takes a holistic approach to the development of young children, from birth to the age of eight and provides opportunities to apply this learning in placement settings. This course covers children’s development and learning in the context of the family, the community, and wider national and international contexts. This will enable you to develop your skills as a practitioner and apply your knowledge to practice. The course is delivered on campus 2 days a week, with a requirement of 2 days placement per week.

Modules studied:
Level 4
Children, Family and Society [20 credits]
Educational Continuum [20 credits]
Observation and Assessment [20 credits]
Safeguarding [20 credits]
Research and Foundational Theories [40 credits]

Level 5
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities [20 credits}
Employability [20 credits]
Multi Agency Working [20 credits]
Research and Contemporary Theories [40 credits}
Plus, one of the following options:
Option 1 Effective Pedagogy (0-4 year old) [20 credits]
Option 2 Effective Pedagogy (5-8 year old) [20 credits]

Level 6
The Reflective Practitioner [20 credits]
Early Years Dissertation [40 credits]
Innovation and Change [20 credits]
Language, Learning and Literacy [20 credits]
Current Issues and Contemporary Debates [20 credits]

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time
The programme will require extra time each week for private study to access study materials and engage with wider reading and research.

On this course you will be encouraged to become an active enquirer and participant in your own learning.

Progress and achievement are assessed using a variety of methods, such as essays, case studies, e-portfolios, poster and oral presentations, research, safeguarding exam and leaflet designs.

Observations within practice are required each year, to support the completion of the graduate competencies and achieve ‘full and relevant’ qualification status. Completion of the Graduate Competencies will be mapped.