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Foundation Degree
Early Years
- Duration:
- Two academic years
- Start Dates:
- September each year
- Attendance:
- Part time
- Key Contact:
- The Enquiries Team
- Tel:
- 01494 603 171
- Email:
- ask@bucks.ac.uk
Is this course suitable for me?
This course provides you with the opportunity to continue your professional development, as well as sharing and developing practice with other professionals.
It is the entry point for experienced practitioners aiming to gain Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and has strong sector endorsement and is recognised by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC).
This higher education qualification will be of interest to Early Years Practitioners, qualified to Level 3, who are working with children from birth to five years.
Overview
All students on the course are current practitioners, providing valuable opportunities for sharing best practice with course colleagues.
The university’s annual safeguarding conference provides an excellent opportunity for inter-professional practice and updating on aspects of policy and practice relating to safeguarding children.
To apply for this course, first choose where you would like to study, and then contact the appropriate institution for an application pack.
Bucks New University, High Wycombe
Aylesbury College, Aylesbury
Amersham & Wycombe College, Flackwell Heath
East Berkshire College, Windsor
Content
Year One
Personal & Professional Development in Practice 1
The study of this module will allow students to develop key academic and study skills which will enable them to develop critical analysis, apply theory to practice and to reflect on their own practice whilst learning about professionalism and communication skills.
Developing Practice, Play and Pedagogy
Play is the most natural way children learn, as it enables children to integrate and consolidate a wealth of experiences that enhance their overall development. This module seeks to give students knowledge and understanding of the complexities of play, by examining and reflecting upon the varied theories, issues, ideologies, perceptions and practice of play in a range of early years settings from birth-five years of age. Students will explore and reflect upon their own values related to play and develop playful pedagogic strategies that recognise the importance of playful learning environments and contexts that are co-constructed for and with children.
The Developing Child
This module aims to develop the students’ skills in understanding the theory, principles and concepts of child development in relation to their work settings. The module provides opportunities for students to learn to apply research to support their academic discussion at the appropriate level. There will be an expectation that students will develop their knowledge of child and adolescent development in relation to their work place and learn skills of reflection both on practice as well as in practice.
The Team around the Child and Young Person
This module aims to further enhance student’s knowledge and understanding of the practitioner’s role and responsibilities relating safeguarding and protecting children and young people. The module will analyse theoretical approaches and current research regarding family violence, child and adolescent abuse. The student will apply this knowledge in the identification and preventative strategies and intervention techniques which assist in supporting vulnerable individuals and communities in line with best practice across agencies
Year Two
Personal & Professional Development in Practice 2
This module will enable the student to use reflection in their practice, and to demonstrate leadership and management skills in managing change in the work setting. This will involve a consideration of ethics and professionalism along with an understanding of the importance of evidence based practice.
Curriculum Principles and Practice
This module seeks to build on the level four module, Developing Practice, Play and Playful Pedagogy. Consolidating the value of play as a means for learning and development within the early years statutory framework. Students will acquire a critical understanding of the historical influences of educational policy on the development of early years education and curricula. Students will also develop a thorough understanding of the early years framework from a range of perspectives, analysing the underlying concepts and principles of UK and international curriculums and exploring appropriate modes of delivery that support individual differences in how children learn that enhances children’s learning power.
Children , Families and Society
This module seeks to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of the continuously shifting nature of the relationship between children, parents and the state. Students will develop an understanding of how social policy impacts on the family. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of historical social policy development; from policy that viewed children as belonging to the private world of the family to more recent times when ideas of collective investment in children are seen as crucial to the welfare of society. Children’s rights and the complexities associated with seeing children as future citizens will be examined in light of changing family forms, parenting styles and the vital role parents play in working in partnership with a range of professionals to ensure their child’s optimum health and development
Inclusion
This module focuses students on the issues and philosophies surrounding inclusion identifying additional needs and exploring inclusion in its widest context The module will aid students in identifying the individual needs of all children and young people evaluating planning and provision for their individual care and learning needs and, if necessary the related referral processes. Students will enhance their knowledge of legislation and policies and the implications of the wider remit for inclusion for practitioners working with children and young people It will also highlight the importance of working closely with other professionals building on the team around the child module.
What will I learn?
Upon successful completion of this programme you will have knowledge and understanding of:
- the philosophies and values underpinning early years care and education including diversity, social justice, children’s rights and ethical issues;
- the historical, cultural and legal frameworks which underpin the disciplines and practices of professionals working with young children and their influence on quality;
- young children’s growth, development and learning with recognition of the socio cultural contexts in which they occur;
- current and emerging theory and practice related to child development and learning;
- national and international perspectives on supporting young children’s learning and development including issues and debates around the value of play, enabling environments and early years curriculum provision;
- the practitioners’ pedagogic role in supporting children’s development as learners;
- the role of other professionals in a multi-professional early childhood context;
- approaches to working in partnership with parents and carers and the professional qualities and attributes required to promote and develop positive working relationships with them;
- the importance of self-reflection and evaluation and how to develop personal learning.
Modules available
Year one
Personal & Professional Development in Practice 1
Developing Practice, Play and Pedagogy
The Developing Child
The Team around the Child and Young Person
Year Two
Personal & Professional Development in Practice 2
Curriculum Principles in Practice
Children, Families and Society
Inclusion.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be current practitioners in an Early Years setting (minimum fifteen hours a week ) with the support of their workplace and someone to act as a mentor. . It is expected that most applicants will have at least two years experience of working in the Early Years environment. Practice experience may be undertaken as employed work or for a registered charity (voluntary work). Applicants must hold recognised qualifications at NVQ Level 3 or other appropriate Level 3 qualification and 3 years post qualifying experience. These include:
- Cache Diploma in Childcare and Education
- Pre-School Practice and Childminding Practice
- BTEC National Diploma Early Years
- NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Childcare Learning and Development
- Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education
- (GCSE English and Maths or the equivalent will be needed if you wish to progress to the Early Years Professional status or Post Graduate Diploma in Education)
Students with credits at NVQ 4, Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education or equivalent learning in Early Years settings may be offered credit through Bucks New University Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) regulations and procedures.
Successful applicants will be invited for interview.
Further opportunities
On successful completion of this course, you may apply to the final year of an honours degree and convert your qualification to a full honours degree.
You can then go onto an Early Years Professional Status Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a Graduate Teacher Programme. You could also progress to Initial Teaching Training with advanced standing or a master’s degree such as Early Childhood Education with Care. Alternatively, you may wish to use the degree for progression into nursery management.
We offer a conversion to honours programme called BA (Hons) Practice Development (Early Years). This programme has been developed as a work-based course to develop skills in analysis and evaluation, with students being supported to undertake substantial projects in the place of work, with a focus on practice development, leadership and management.
Funding assistance
Bursary funding for Buckinghamshire students may be available through Buckinghamshire County Council to help pay towards the cost of this degree. Please contact the Workforce Development Team on 01296 382 658 or email cypsworkforcedevelop@buckscc.gov.uk for further information.
There is also the Buckinghamshire Early Years Professional Pathway (BEYPP) formerly Graduate Leader Fund from Buckinghamshire County Council. Buckinghamshire students please contact the Early Years & Childcare Service on 0845 3708 090 for more information.
How to make an application
We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.
- Course_Enquiry_Letter (70.4 KB)
- Application_form (58.1 KB)
- Notes_for_Guidance (51.6 KB)
- Fee_Authoristaion_Form (61.1 KB)
- Foundation_Degree_Reference_Form (9.6 KB)
If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.
Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.
Students funded by the NHS or other employer
If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.