Early Childhood Studies with Foundation

Take a fresh look at childhood. Explore the theory and reality of children's early years through a variety of perspectives including sociology, social psychology, history, and philosophy. You will engage with young children and families through course activities and placements having the option of gaining professional recognition of your practice. If your qualifications don’t allow direct entry to degree level or you have been out of formal education for some time, this course is for you.

We offer high-quality teaching in a stimulating learning environment where you'll feel supported and ready for degree study. In your first year, you'll develop your knowledge of the ways children and adults come to know what they know. You’ll acquire a toolkit of skills and the confidence to apply them effectively. Upon successful completion, advance to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme, where you'll delve deeper into understanding children's lives and gain hands-on experience.

This four-year course is designed to give you the grounding necessary to progress through your undergraduate programme in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies giving you a broader view of children’s development by studying the subject in practical, historical and international contexts.

Your first year will:

• enable you to enter University from non-traditional entry routes, whether you are returning to education after a break or if you come with qualifications other than A levels

• introduce you to supportive and accessible academic staff in a welcoming community with personal tutor support

• prepare you for level 4 study in a research-rich environment, establishing relationships with the University, support services, teaching staff and other education students

• provide research-informed teaching opportunities which build on your prior learning, encouraging you to draw on your work/professional/personal experiences

• provide you learning experiences which offer small group work, problem-solving and interactive approaches through a wide range of diverse and innovative teaching methods

• support you in developing essential study skills through a variety of coursework-based inclusive assessments – from essays and presentations to creative projects, personal development plans and written projects.

This course is an integrated part of the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at the University of Plymouth. Successful completion of the foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies or BA (Hons) Education.
When you join the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation, you will:

• explore the relationships between play and learning in your own studies as well as in child development

• see for yourself how theories and policies are applied in practice by visiting a wide range of provision for children and families

• expand your options beyond traditional teaching and open up further career opportunities in education, social care, community work, psychology, management and research

• learn from experienced lecturers and tutors who are actively engaged in national and international research projects.

In your Foundation Year (year 0), you’ll acquire the knowledge and skills you’ll need to progress through your studies and become a confident, independent learner. You’ll take four 30 credit modules which will introduce you to a range of education-related topics whilst preparing you for degree-level study at the University of Plymouth.

Please note that BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation and BA (Hons) Education with Foundation will be combined for the foundation year only.

In your first year of your extended degree, you’ll get an overview of the factors that affect children’s lives and begin considering your own professional identity within the sector. You’ll explore how children grow and develop, drawing on the latest research around thinking, playing and learning. You’ll also gain an understanding of different approaches to observing children. Modules on social policy and equality and diversity will introduce you to key contemporary issues.

Your second year of the extended degree focuses on developing your analytical and reflective skills and expands your hands-on experience of early years roles. You will develop your understanding of research while studying children’s development and communication. You’ll choose two modules from a range of options including outdoor learning, the developing world and working with professionals. You’ll work directly with young children and families, learning both academically and practically from these experiences.

In the final stage of the course, you will be helped to make the transition from ‘knowledge consumer’ to ‘knowledge producer’. You will use your developing knowledge and experience to challenge, extend and critique other people’s ideas and your own. You will plan and carry out a research project to develop and disseminate understanding of what you have identified as an area of interest and you will continue to develop your capacity to act as a strong advocate for young children and families. If you are joining the final stage from a partner college you may choose to study on our FLECS (Flexible Learning in Early Childhood Studies) route.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

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