Course overview
This course develops your understanding of children aged 0-7 and the interventions that can be taken to help them develop throughout their early years.
Modules are designed around the workplace setting that you are in and develops your knowledge, skills and understanding in the Early Years setting.
With students from a diverse range of backgrounds, our two-year programme will encourage you to engage with fundamental questions surrounding Early Years care, learning and development and their relationship to children and adults working in the sector.
This course is offered in partnership with, and validated by, University of Hertfordshire. It can be studied full-time or part-time, more information on the study patterns available can be found in the Programme Specification. Your individual circumstances will be discussed with one of our tutors upon application.
What will I study?
There are currently greater expectations of childcare and education than ever before, as understanding grows of how early interventions in children’s lives can make a tremendous difference to their future learning, development and wellbeing.
As well as focussing on academic modules, which are listed below, you will also develop your professional attributes, knowledge and understanding of the whole sector.
Modules
Level 4
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The Reflective Practitioner - 30 credits
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The Developing Child - 30 credits
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Health and Wellbeing - 30 credits
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Early Years Policy and Practice - 30 credits
Level 5
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Curriculum Perspectives - 30 credits
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SEND in Early Years - 30 credits
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Introduction research methods through current issues - 30 credits
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Collaborative Practice - 30 credits
How will I be taught and assessed?
The programme of study runs on one full day a week and is taught through lectures, workshops, tutorials, presentations, and whole or small group discussions.
You can study this course on either a full-time or part-time basis, you can discuss the different options once you apply.
There are no exams throughout the programme. Instead, it consists of 100% coursework with set deadline dates. The end of module assessments includes a range of methods such as essays, reports, presentations, posters, and leaflets.
What could I do next?
There are clear progression routes that facilitate opportunities for students to progress towards another qualification. On graduation, graduates could follow a career in Early Years practice or could use their Foundation degree as entry into the BA (Hons) Education Studies & Early Years at USP College.
Typical entry requirements
Alongside access to suitable work-related experience in an Early Years setting for around 200 hours per year, you will also require:
- 96 UCAS points in a relevant Level 3 BTEC qualification or A-Levels
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
- A successful interview with a subject tutor.
All applicants will be interviewed.
The programme is subject to the University of Hertfordshire's Principles, Policies, Regulations and Procedures for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes and will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).
Additional information
You will need a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check. Click here for more information.
Financial Support
We understand that the costs of college may be daunting but we are here to support you.