BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-up)

This programme builds on and consolidates existing knowledge, understanding and skills of working with children, strengthening the links between theory and practice. The aim is to facilitate professional development and career choices encouraging intellectual capabilities, reflection and analytical skills specifically related to the pedagogy of childhood.

Study Aims

This programme builds on and consolidates existing knowledge, understanding and skills of working with children, strengthening the links between theory and practice. The programme will explore existing and contemporary issues in childhood during the years from 0-8. The aim is to facilitate professional development and career choices encouraging intellectual capabilities, reflection and analytical skills specifically related to the pedagogy of childhood. Academic contribution will enable you to become a confident, well-educated and reflective early years/education practitioner with the skills to respond to developments in the field of early childhood studies;

• Enable the development of critical reasoning and analytical skills in relation to the context of early childhood to equip you with research skills, knowledge and understanding of how theory relating to children influences and informs current early years/education provision;
• Promote you to demonstrate the intellectual and study skills for the collection, interpretation, understanding, presentation and critical analysis of theory, policy and practice issues concerning early childhood;
• Encourage you to incorporate theoretical principles and knowledge of leadership, working with other professionals; working with families to meet needs of young children;
• Enable you to assimilate skills and aptitudes that constitute a platform from which they may successfully enter post-graduate study in related areas.

Modules Studied

• The Pedagogy of Play in Early Years
• Leading Learning in Early Years
• Early Years Policy and Practice
• Contemporary Project in Early Years (Dissertation)~ Contemporary Issues in Research with Young Children.

Times of Delivery

• Tuesday - 4pm - 8pm ~Wednesday - 4pm - 8pm

Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.

Teaching and Assessment

You will be supported in your preparation for assessments by your module tutor and where relevant other academic staff within the course team. You will have access to additional academic support particular to assessment tasks from an independent HE academic support tutor. Teaching will include enhancing specific interpersonal skills and attributes when working towards module learning outcomes with a focus on experience in the early years sector; engaging in reflective activities to support and enhance continued learning; independent learning and research (directed).The course runs over 32 weeks and has four 20 credit modules and one 40 credit module. The 40 credit module includes an empirical study (dissertation) and other modular assessment is via academic critical essays, presentations and group work.

Placement

Extensive experience within the sector is an entry requirement and placement is recommended as an empirical study forms part of the dissertation.

What else?

The widening participation and lifelong learning ethos of the programme enables those students to take a vocationally embedded route into graduate practice and/or teaching considering the following options;PGCE or SCITT.

Entry Criteria

You must:

• Hold a Level 5 qualification (FdA/HND) in an Early Years related discipline – or the international equivalent of 120 ECTS Credits.
• External applicants must be interviewed (international applicants via internet/email respectively).
• Hold Level 2 or equivalent in English Language (or a minimum IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5 in all components; speaking, listening, reading and writing required for international applicants, additionally a formative written piece of work may be requested during the application process).
• Hold Level 2 or equivalent in Maths.
• Hold a Clear Enhanced DBS.
• Provide evidence of appropriate and current early years/education employment. This must be verified by the organisation manager or head teacher.

Non-standard entry criteria:

• Evidence of recent and extensive early years experience.
• All applicants with non-standard criteria must be interviewed.
• Level 2 or equivalent in English Language (or a minimum IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5 in all components; speaking, listening, reading and writing required for international applicants, additionally a formative written piece of work may be requested during the application process).
• Level 2 or equivalent in Maths.
• Clear Enhanced DBS.
• Evidence of appropriate current early years/education employment and/or volunteering experience within the sector.

What are the next steps?

The interview will require you to have completed a research task followed by a formal interview.

Please bring the following with you:

• Copy of academic qualifications

• Employment/Placement details within the early years/child care sector and confirmation for the setting to support your studies.

You are required to have completed a research task that will be emailed to you by the Programme Leader and this will be discussed at interview.

You will also require two satisfactory references, please fill in enclosed sheet and bring with you.