Early Years Education

This is a work-based early years degree, on which you'll attend St Mary's one day a week whilst employed in work with children and young people for at least half of the week (in either a paid or voluntary capacity).

• Attend St Mary's University one day a week throughout this work-based course

• Progress on to the BA Hons in Primary Education QTS Work Based Route degree programme

Our Early Years foundation degree gives those already working in education the opportunity to gain a vocational qualification through part-time study.

The course provides opportunities for people working directly with children, or those working in other educational support roles, to build their knowledge and experience through study at higher education level. The degree, which will help to enhance your understanding of your current professional role, can be completed in a minimum of two years part-time study.

This course aims to build self-confidence in the workplace and at home. The current emphasis on the development of the school workforce as a whole has been one of the driving forces behind this degree.

Early Years Education will open up a range of opportunities in the education sector, especially within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Successful completion of this early years degree leads to the award of a foundation degree in Early Years Education.

There is then an opportunity for you to progress to one of our enhancement undergraduate degrees:

• BA (Hon) Primary Education (Work-based Route) (one year)

• BA (Hon) Primary Education (Work-based Route) with QTS (two years)

• BA (Hon) Primary Education (Work-based Route) with QTS specialising in SEND (two years)

Why St Mary’s?

You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.

Year one - Learning Through Play in the Early Years, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Professional Skills Development One, Understanding the Early Years, Using and Applying Technology Within the Early Years, Using and Applying Technology Within the Early Years Environment and Working in Partnerships

All assignments are designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and use of transferrable skills in teaching children, linking the theory with the practical.

A range of assessment methods are used, these may include both group and individual presentations, practical visual presentations (posters, leaflets, 3D display, use of green screen) essays, case studies and portfolios.