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Child Care and Education:
Foundation Degree
The Foundation Degree offers comprehensive coverage
of knowledge and skills required by professional child
care and education workers. This is a higher education
qualification, for which you study at university level while
working in the subject area. This is a work-based learning
course.
Course details The first year looks at critical reading and
writing, and introduces the key concepts of working in
child care. The second year explores professional
development, research methods and child protection.
The course includes two days’ work placement in an
early years setting.
How is it assessed? Each module has two or more pieces
of assessed coursework which include assignments and
presentations. There is one exam on Child Protection,
a subject which crosses all modules and is examined in
depth.
Course duration The programme lasts for two years.
You will study two modules a term over six terms. Work
experience is part of the programme.
What do I need to have to study this subject? You
should have level 3 or A level in a related subject, good
interpersonal skills, preferably GCSE grades A*-C in English,
Maths and Science and work experience as part of an
early years team. All students are required to complete
a Criminal Records Bureau check at the beginning of the
course.
Where can this lead me? You will be entitled to add
FDEd after your name, and can progress to employment
in local government, manage an early years setting,
or continue your studies, undertaking the BA in Early
Years/Community Education and then on to Early Years
Professional Status (EYPS).
What are the enrichment opportunities? You will liaise
with social, health, police, education and voluntary
agencies on child care and education issues; child care
and education professionals are increasingly expected
to be articulate and accountable in liaising with these
agencies. You will develop strategies to sustain your own
pursuits in lifelong learning.
Children’s Learning and
Development: NVQ Level 2
This is a level 2 work-based, assessed course.
Course details There are five mandatory units and one
optional unit of study over the year. These include subject
areas such as the safety and development of children,
and supporting children's play and learning. Students
study in College one day a week and need to complete
a mandatory work placement with young children, to
develop a realistic idea of the professional role of a
child care and education worker.
How is it assessed? There are a number of ways that you
will be assessed. These include written questions, witness
testimony, assignments, case studies, reflective accounts
and professional discussions. There will also be direct
observation in your work setting.
Course duration One year part-time, work-based course.
What do I need to study this subject? You will be required
to produce a portfolio demonstrating your commitment
to the subject. All students are required to complete a
Criminal Records Bureau check at the beginning of the
course.
Where can this lead me? The course can lead to
employment in an early years setting, in a supervisory
capacity such as a nursery or teaching assistant, or to
the NVQ level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and
Development.
What are the enrichment opportunities? We offer work
experience in statutory, voluntary and private sector
organisations.