Foundation Degree in Early Years

Are you passionate about working with young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare, early years or education settings? Perhaps you already work within the early years sector and would like to upskill or consider advanced practice.

The Foundation degree in the Early Years aims to develop the skills and knowledge for you to develop your professional practice and support your career aspirations. The foundation degree is a recognised qualification in the sector and can also be a stepping stone to a higher level and degree studies. Many students join an honours degree at level 6 (final year) on completion of the foundation degree.

What's covered in this course?

The course is carefully designed to offer appropriate skills and knowledge relating to professional practice, and the application of work-based experience. It also focuses on your self-development and independent learning, as well as teamwork and your ability to manage others.

Skills and knowledge acquired from your modules combine to give you a thorough appreciation of a child’s social and emotional development, covering issues of language, literacy and numeracy, knowledge and understanding of the world, and physical and creative development.

Applying your knowledge in real Early Years settings is a vital part of your learning, and you need to complete 720 hours of work placement during the course. As a working, part-time student, you normally achieve this through your professional commitments; if you study full-time, you get all the support you need to find a suitable work placement.

Why choose us?

1. Studying in small groups, trainee Early Years practitioners get the chance to enhance skills and professional standing, while aspiring entrants to the profession enjoy a practical, hands-on introduction to key issues
2. The part-time route offers flexibility to fit studies around your weekly commitments
3. Although based at South and City College Birmingham (Digbeth campus), you have full use of facilities at any of the University sites and will feel part of our supportive student community
4. This course supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring you can deliver provision that complies with EYFS learning and development requirements
5. Ofsted rates South and City College Birmingham as a 'Beacon Status' college, making it one of only a few UK training providers to achieve the government's Training Quality Standard in three or more sectors
6. The College also has Customer Service Excellence status, showing the importance placed on student satisfaction

Year One

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Introducing professional practice
• Safeguarding children
• Learning through play
• Observing children's holistic development
• Early years curricula

Year Two

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Developing professional practice
• Early years research as a driver for change
• Fostering children’s mental health and well-being
• Promoting inclusion and parental partnerships
• Social construction of the child

Employment opportunities

This course enables you to enhance your career in the early year's sector. This could be into child care management positions in a variety of settings, such as day nurseries, primary schools, children's centres and health centres.

Placements

Students need evidence they have completed 720 hours of work placement during the course. Generally, part-time students will already be working in early years setting while studying for their FdA. Full-time students will be supported on work placement.