Early Years

About the course

If you've got experience in childcare and would like to build on this by gaining a qualification, our Foundation degree in Early Years is designed for you. It's been developed in full consultation with employers, and is both acknowledged by the DfES as Sure Start Recognised and endorsed by the major players in this industry sector. You can find more information about the national Sure Start Recognised Sector-Endorsed Foundation degree in Early Years at www.surestart.gov.uk.

First Year modules include: starting with the child - advanced child development; personal and professional skills for the senior practitioner; fulfilling; legal and professional responsibilities; and work-based module 1: enabling, supporting and managing children's care and learning in the work place. Second Year modules include: work-based module 2: evidence-based decision making at work to support leadership and management in children's workforce settings; professional diversity and common goals; and curriculum frameworks for children 0-8.

Why choose this course?

This Foundation Degree, which is available at Hertford Regional College (Ware), North Hertfordshire College (Stevenage), Oaklands College (St Albans, Smallford Campus) and West Herts College (Watford), has been designed in full consultation with employers, and is specifically for those who already have some relevant experience on which to build. It confers the status of Senior Practitioner on its graduates.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 2 Years
• Full Time,

Locations

• Hertford Regional College
• West Herts College
• North Hertfordshire College
• Oaklands College

Careers

When you successfully complete this Foundation Degree, you'll be able to progress to the Final Year of the BA(Hons) Education Studies course at the University of Hertfordshire. A small number of students who meet specified criteria can also gain qualified teacher status by entering Year 3 of the university's BEd course or undertaking the Registered Teacher Programme. Alternatively, you could choose to move into management, advisory work, lecturing, therapeutic service, playwork, community projects or work in social care.

Teaching methods

It is acknowledged by the DfES as Sure Start Recognised and endorsed by the major players in this industry sector. Further information about the nationally recognised Sure Start Recognised Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years can be found at www.surestart.gov.uk/

Professional Accreditations

None

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Continuing Personal and Professional Development (HRC)

  This module aims to enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully take responsibility for their own learning at graduate level. Strategies used will include encouraging students to audit their existing competencies and then plan for the development of additional skills or knowledge within an identified timeframe. The development of transferable ICT skills which both support the students own learning, and that of early years children in the workplace will be undertaken throughout this module. Career planning will also be a feature of this module, with students being encouraged to investigate progression pathways after the completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree. In addition students will be encouraged to develop their skills of reflection both upon their personal and professional development.

• Continuing Personal and Professional Development (OAK)

  This module aims to enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully take responsibility for their own learning at graduate level. Strategies used will include encouraging students to audit their existing competencies and then plan for the development of additional skills or knowledge within an identified timeframe. The development of transferable ICT skills which both support the students own learning, and that of early years children in the workplace will be undertaken throughout this module. Career planning will also be a feature of this module, with students being encouraged to investigate progression pathways after the completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree. In addition students will be encouraged to develop their skills of reflection both upon their personal and professional development.

• Continuing Personal and Professional Development (WHC)

  This module aims to enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully take responsibility for their own learning at graduate level. Strategies used will include encouraging students to audit their existing competencies and then plan for the development of additional skills or knowledge within an identified timeframe. The development of transferable ICT skills which both support the students own learning, and that of early years children in the workplace will be undertaken throughout this module. Career planning will also be a feature of this module, with students being encouraged to investigate progression pathways after the completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree. In addition students will be encouraged to develop their skills of reflection both upon their personal and professional development.

• Developing Professional Practice in the Workplace (HRC)

  This module offers students the chance to apply the underpinning knowledge, understanding, information and skills developed in earlier modules to enable, support, plan, implement, evaluate, assess and plan next steps in children's learning and development, ensuring inclusive practice.

• Developing Professional Practice in the Workplace (OAK)

  This module offers students the chance to apply the underpinning knowledge, understanding, information and skills developed in earlier modules to enable, support, plan, implement, evaluate, assess and plan next steps in children's learning and development, ensuring inclusive practice.

• Developing Professional Practice in the Workplace (WHC)

  This module offers students the chance to apply the underpinning knowledge, understanding, information and skills developed in earlier modules to enable, support, plan, implement, evaluate, assess and plan next steps in children's learning and development, ensuring inclusive practice.

• Legislation and Legal Responsibilities for the Children's Workforce (HRC)

  The module develops knowledge and understanding underpinning the transferable and key skills relevant to Practitioners in The Children's Workforce. In addition the aim is to develop the students' ability to work within a framework of legislation and guidance; contribute to safeguarding; collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (including partnership with parents) and develop children's awareness of personal safety. Interpersonal skills and awareness of the following:- • equality of opportunity • anti-discriminatory practice • inclusive practice • children's rights • health and safety • Data Protection

• Legislation and Legal Responsibilities for the Children's Workforce (OAK)

  The module develops knowledge and understanding underpinning the transferable and key skills relevant to Practitioners in The Children's Workforce. In addition the aim is to develop the students' ability to work within a framework of legislation and guidance; contribute to safeguarding; collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (including partnership with parents) and develop children's awareness of personal safety. Interpersonal skills and awareness of the following:- • equality of opportunity • anti-discriminatory practice • inclusive practice • children's rights • health and safety • Data Protection

• Legislation and Legal Responsibilities for the Children's Workforce (WHC)

  The module develops knowledge and understanding underpinning the transferable and key skills relevant to Practitioners in The Children's Workforce. In addition the aim is to develop the students' ability to work within a framework of legislation and guidance; contribute to safeguarding; collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (including partnership with parents) and develop children's awareness of personal safety. Interpersonal skills and awareness of the following:- • equality of opportunity • anti-discriminatory practice • inclusive practice • children's rights • health and safety • Data Protection

• The Developing Child (HRC)

  The module will focus on the development and learning of all children. The emphasis will be on developing the student's knowledge and understanding of the personal, social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cognitive and spiritual development with reference to inclusive practice. The module will draw on small- scale investigations using observations within Children's Workforce settings, in order to promote understanding and implementation of evidence-based and ethical practice relevant to the professional area. It offers opportunities for students to observe, assess and reflect on individual children's holistic development and learning to consider how to develop their inclusive practice. Student's skills relating to the assessment and reporting of development and learning will be applied in the workplace. By the end of the module, students will be able to reflect on their own effectiveness and how they apply their knowledge of child development, learning and inclusion within their work setting.

• The Developing Child (OAK)

  The module will focus on the development and learning of all children. The emphasis will be on developing the student's knowledge and understanding of the personal, social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cognitive and spiritual development with reference to inclusive practice. The module will draw on small- scale investigations using observations within Children's Workforce settings, in order to promote understanding and implementation of evidence-based and ethical practice relevant to the professional area. It offers opportunities for students to observe, assess and reflect on individual children's holistic development and learning to consider how to develop their inclusive practice. Student's skills relating to the assessment and reporting of development and learning will be applied in the workplace. By the end of the module, students will be able to reflect on their own effectiveness and how they apply their knowledge of child development, learning and inclusion within their work setting.

• The Developing Child (WHC)

  The module will focus on the development and learning of all children. The emphasis will be on developing the student's knowledge and understanding of the personal, social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cognitive and spiritual development with reference to inclusive practice. The module will draw on small- scale investigations using observations within Children's Workforce settings, in order to promote understanding and implementation of evidence-based and ethical practice relevant to the professional area. It offers opportunities for students to observe, assess and reflect on individual children's holistic development and learning to consider how to develop their inclusive practice. Student's skills relating to the assessment and reporting of development and learning will be applied in the workplace. By the end of the module, students will be able to reflect on their own effectiveness and how they apply their knowledge of child development, learning and inclusion within their work setting.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,000 for the 2013 academic year

Part time: If you decide to study this course on a part time basis you will be charged on a modular basis. The cost is £625 for each 15-credit module

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply