Early Childhood Studies (with Foundation Year) - BA (Hons)

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree. Course details: This degree gives you an in-depth specialism around the distinct and specialised nature of working with babies and young children in the early years phase of life, considering children from birth throughout the primary school phase. You focus on the holistic view of children and early childhood, developing a deep understanding of the early years and beyond of a child’s life. A wide range of professions are open to you, including child protection roles, working in schools or other educational settings, parent support workers, play workers, and further study in teaching and social work. Course content is intellectually stimulating and current. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on contemporary research and discourse, ensuring your knowledge of children and families is relevant to current developments in sociology, psychology, education, health, legislation and policy. You develop theoretical, practical and reflective skills to lead to good practice when working with early years and young children, parents and other disciplinary services. You focus on child development and behaviours, assessment of children, comparison of children in the UK and across the world, and children’s services. If you don't have a full level 3 qualification in early years, we offer an Early Childhood Studies Degree Network approved pathway. After graduating, you are a fully qualified level 6 practitioner. The teaching team have an array of relevant and professional experience in childhood and early years. Active researchers and authors on the team, include the pedagogy of early literacy; poverty and the impact of childhood; early years pedagogies, which benefits your learning experience. Top reasons to study this course: Industry insights: engage with sector speakers and experts who share authentic, up-to-date perspectives from the field. Career-ready competencies: develop a blend of theoretical and transferable skills that prepare you for a wide range of professional roles. Expert guidance: learn from teaching and support staff with specialised expertise, enhancing your understanding and practical application. Comprehensive support: university services such as Careers and Volun-Tees help boost your employability and graduate experience. After the course: Career opportunities are working with families and children in a range of different roles: for example as support workers and assistants in schools, local authority or health services. Students progress into roles in nurseries, schools and children centres supporting both children and parents. With a good honours degree, you can progress to post graduate professional study such as for teaching in the early years or social work. The programme incorporates broad employability skills development that will help to prepare you for future employment. You will be encouraged to volunteer and will have opportunities to take part in projects. There are guest lectures from professionals working in relevant areas and opportunities for site visits. Workshops are available for skills development. Designed to incorporate employability skills development alongside your degree course. Our staff utilise their extensive connections to provide many and varied opportunities to engage with potential employers through fairs, guest lecture sessions, live projects and site visits. In addition we offer a series of workshops and events in the first, second and third year that ensure all students are equipped with both degree level subject knowledge PLUS the practical skills that employers are looking for in new graduate recruits.