Early Childhood Studies, FdA

Overview

This course combines work-based practice with academic study, so students are required to attend lectures and undertake a work placement in a suitable setting. This approach means that graduates are able to either embark upon their career immediately or continue their studies on a related Honours Top-up Degree.

You will gain a grounding in the key theories of child development and learning alongside studies of regulations including the English Early Years Foundation Stage and safeguarding. The course’s distinctiveness also stems from its discussions on ethical, environmental and holistic learning considerations in a childhood context.

The early years lecturing team at UCW have all been employed in the sector and maintain strong links with early years education providers, ensuring a broad range of work placements are available, and their combined experience and knowledge covers a wide range of specialisms.

Course length:

Full-time: 2 years (4 days a week including work placement)

Start date:

13th September 2021

Location:

Knightstone Campus

Course codes:

Institution: B20
Course: X315
Campus: C

Awarding institution:

Bath Spa University

Find out more

Course detail

Many of the students on this course aspire to further and postgraduate study and teaching roles, so you will undertake a substantial individual project on a topic of interest to develop your higher academic research and writing skills.

You will also hear from expert guest lecturers and, at an additional expense, be invited to go on daytrips and longer overseas residential visits. Students from this course have in recent years visited The Gambia, for example.

This Foundation Degree is delivered at our Knightstone Campus in the centre of Weston. Students on this course are also among the first to benefit from the teaching and learning spaces in the our new University Centre in the Winter Gardens, which is also in the centre of Weston.

UCW’s commitment to great graduate outcomes is underpinned by our students having access to a Careers Coaching service for the whole time they are enrolled with us.

Please contact the course leader Mark Wilkins or UCW’s HEART team if you have any questions. It would also be great to see you at our next Open Day, where you can see our facilities and also meet the team.

All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20 or 40 credits each. Successful completion of all of the modules in the first year is worth 120 credits at Level 4 and equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education. Successful completion of the second year is also worth 120 credits and will lead to the award of the Level 5 Foundation Degree.

Year 1:

Curriculum and Pedagogy: Linking Theory and Practice (40 credits)
Introduction to Early Child Development (20 credits)
Reflective Practice in Action (20 credits)
Supporting Young Children’s Holistic Health and Wellbeing (40 credits)

Year 2:

Contesting Childhood (20 credits)
Research in Early Childhood (40 credits)
Supporting Children with Additional Needs (20 credits)
The Child, Family and Society (40 credits)

This course is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workplace practice, presentations, case studies and group workshops. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lecturers and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework and exams.

This course has an average of 10.5 hours of scheduled teaching per week and a work experience element totalling 250 hours over the duration of the course.

Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 10% practical exams and 90% coursework. There are no written exams on this Foundation Degree.

Please click on the Course Handbook button to find out more.

Assessment

Written Exams

0%

Coursework

90%

Practical Exams

10%

What's it like

Discover more about studying Early Years at University Centre Weston with this short video.

Quick Stats

Become an effective early years practitioner by combining the theories behind best practice with a practical work placement in the sector.

Find out more

Quick Stats

Become an effective early years practitioner by combining the theories behind best practice with a practical work placement in the sector.

Find out more

Meet the Team

Lauren Pring

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Lecturer in Early Years

Lauren teaches on UCW’s Early Years and Early Childhood Studies degree pathways. She graduated from Bath Spa University with an Honours degree in Early Years Education and is currently studying towards the Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. Lauren has also worked as a Lead Childminding Practitioner and mentored students and Lecturers working with a Local Authority. Her areas of academic interest include outdoor learning and the development of reflective practices.
Meet the Team

Sally Tazewell

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Lecturer in Early Years and Early Childhood Studies

Sally has been working in the field of education since 2002, initially specialising in English and European languages. While maintaining an active interest in language development and early literacy, she went on to develop her passion for personal, social and emotional development in young children and the adults who work with them. This is reflected in the modules she teaches on and her personal pedagogy. She enjoys lecturing upon two Foundation degrees while completing her Master’s studies. She is also part of a research cluster involving local universities, and her interests include developing active and personally relevant learning, supporting student diversity through the widening participation agenda, and understanding what makes learning meaningful across the life course.
Meet the Team

Mark Wilkins

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Curriculum Coordinator, Early Years

Mark was a Primary School Teacher for 15 years, working in a variety of schools including a year in Canada. He held management posts in three schools with responsibility for Early Years, Science and Personal, Social and Health Education. Mark has been involved with a number of educational projects, including an exchange with Ugandan teachers, and a project linking growing food with healthy lifestyles which culminated in him speaking at a national conference. His subject specialisms are around the sociology of childhood, international education and the status of early years practitioners. Mark holds a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology and a postgraduate Primary (Early Years) teaching qualification. He has recently completed his Master’s degree in Education.