Early Childhood Studies BA Honours

4.5
1 review
  • Nice place and good people. Talk to professors as much as possible, they are there to help you. Make as many friends as you can, everybody is in the same position as you're.
    |

Bachelor's degree

In London

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    3 Years

  • Start date

    October

How is the BA Early Childhood Studies taught?
Work placements
As part of your third year you are encouraged to carry out a short placement of a minimum of 30 hours, which will be credited towards your degree. This will provide you with hands on experience of working in a classroom. We have a placement office which will support you through the placement process.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
The Burroughs, NW4 4BT

Start date

OctoberEnrolment now open

About this course

Qualifications
96 UCAS points
Middlesex University has a flexible and personalised approach to admissions and we accept applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and a combination of qualifications.
Please check our general entry requirements page to see how these points can be achieved from our acceptable level 3 qualifications and the combinations which are welcomed by Middlesex University, including GCSE requirements. iddlesex University course in year two or three.

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Reviews

4.5
  • Nice place and good people. Talk to professors as much as possible, they are there to help you. Make as many friends as you can, everybody is in the same position as you're.
    |
100%
4.7
excellent

Course rating

Recommended

Centre rating

Mike Blanket

4.5
20/02/2018
What I would highlight: Nice place and good people. Talk to professors as much as possible, they are there to help you. Make as many friends as you can, everybody is in the same position as you're.
What could be improved: nothing to improve
Would you recommend this course?: Yes
*All reviews collected by Emagister & iAgora have been verified

This centre's achievements

2018
2017

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 13 years

Subjects

  • Child Development
  • Early Years
  • IT Law
  • Management
  • Leadership
  • IT
  • Teaching
  • Disability
  • Law
  • Systems
  • IT Development
  • IT Management
  • Play
  • Development
  • Equality
  • Pedagogy
  • Early Childhood
  • Childhood
  • International
  • Childhood Health
  • Social World

Course programme

Course content

What will you study on the BA Early Childhood Studies?

In Year 1 you will examine both historical and contemporary approaches to education policy development in the UK and study an introduction to philosophy in relation to education. Alongside this, you will explore the psychological approaches to learning and also study an Early Childhood module (which includes the social construct of childhood and child development).

In Years 2 and 3 you will continue to broaden your knowledge of these key theoretical areas. You will also study the National Curriculum Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, alongside: special needs and inclusion, comparative education, equality issues and research methods.

In Year 3 you will also conduct an independent research project, gain practical experience on placement and select from a choice of modules to complement your learning, including: leadership and management in early years settings, the social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning, children's rights, education and the law and children's literature.

Modules

Year 1

Infant Health and Well-being (30 credits) – Compulsory

This module aims to extend your knowledge and understanding of factors contributing to infant health and well-being. You will examine theories of attachment and consider cross-cultural practices aimed at promoting attachment relationships and supporting early development. The module will enable you to evaluate the impact of early intervention strategies, policies and practices to provide support for parents/carers in meeting the health and well-being needs of babies and very young children.

Reflective Professional Practice in Early Years (30 credits) – Compulsory

A consideration of the historical, social and global context of the child within the family and community will lead to an evaluation of the influence of social policy on children and families. Critical discussion and debate will explore key issues regarding contextualised childhoods and the role of reflective early years professionals in promoting equality, and safeguarding children. Professional identity, accountability and impact will be reflected on and critiqued at a micro and macro level. An analysis of policy impact in educational and care settings will be evaluated to consider approaches and professional impact towards behaviour management and the safeguarding of children.

Approaches to Learning (30 credits) – Compulsory

The study of a selection of learning theories to encourage understanding of learning processes of children and adults, including their application to yourself as a learner. This module includes an exploration of influences and impact of parents, schools and wider social influences on development, educational experiences and achievement.

Early Childhood Development (30 credits) – Compulsory

This module allows you to observe young children, using different observational techniques, and recognise key milestones achieved in the developing child. Ethical considerations involved with observing young children are examined and key learning and child development theories applied and evaluated. A holistic approach to observing young children is taken

Year 2

Researching Lives: Social Investigation in the Contemporary World (30 credits) – Compulsory

The driving force behind this module is the idea that knowledge and skills of social research are today of fundamental importance in virtually all professions, but especially within the fields of education and early childhood. Therefore, the module encourages and trains you to go beyond the simply learning research skills and to engage with research critically and reflectively in your daily life.

Social Perspectives on Childhood and Education (30 credits) – Compulsory

The module presents a variety of concepts of childhood and early years education across history and culture. By applying the most influential social theories of childhood developed in the 20th and 21st centuries, the module analyses the relationships between the social contexts and contemporary issues for EY practice, such as child’s well-being and achievement. The module reviews the political and cultural background of policies that aim to address inequality, promote children’s right and support educational achievement, engaging you in exploring the role of the child in a multicultural society.

Year 2

Optional Modules - choose two of the following:


Curriculum Studies; EYFS and Key Stage 1 (30 credits) – Optional

This module is will be the study of curriculum models and the work of the early education pioneers, the planning and evaluating of the early years curriculum, and National Curriculum Key Stage 1.

Comparative Education and International (30 credits) – Optional

This module examines education systems across a range of cultures and countries and compares them with the English system. Issues such as teacher training, gender, access to free education and the impact of globalisation will be considered. The value of comparing and classifying education systems in diverse settings will also be discussed.

Education and the Social World (30 credits) – Optional

This module is aimed at those who want to engage with issues of education in a deep, serious and theoretically rich way. It challenges some of the ways education is usually approached and asks how we can change education for the better. You will be actively involved in designing and proposing changes and new models. It provides a range of theoretical frameworks –among them postmodern theory, diaspora theory, and anthropological perspectives – which are extremely important for better understanding and engaging with education. Uniquely, the module offers a weekly book club and a monthly film club.

Insights into Play and Pedagogy (30 credits) – Optional

This module is aimed at exploring what play is, why we play and how play can foster learning, development and well-being. It includes investigations of the role of play in different pedagogic approaches. Sociocultural factors that shape play including historical developments, gender, cultural background and class, and play in different parts of the world.

Year 3

Dissertation Module for Early Childhood Studies (30 credits) – Compulsory

This is a small piece of detailed research of an existing field within early childhood, relevant to research in an early childhood setting. Organise and manage a small scale research investigation with insight, demonstrating skillful use of research tools and responsibility and display critical judgement in relating these to the wider educational and social context. Present a research report following generic academic conventions. It can be general research or Practitioner Enquiry. Practitioner Enquiry is suitable for those who are in an appropriate placement where you hold a fairly stable role within the organisation as it includes a self-reflective report related to work roles and responsibilities.

Year 3

Optional Modules - choose three of the following:

Leadership and Management in Early Years Settings (30 credits) – Optional

This module provides an in-depth insight into the role of management and leadership in the context of Early Years. This entails the development of current initiatives, leadership and management theory, the legal framework and working with change. The role of key professionals within statutory, voluntary and independent services who are working with young children and their families is analysed. Also, the advantages and barriers to working in multidisciplinary teams are critically evaluated.

Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (30 credits) – Optional

This module looks at special educational needs, disability and inclusion in education and concentrates on the definitions of learning difficulty and disability and the extent to which parents, pupils and students with Special Needs and Disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as others.

Children's Literature (30 credits) – Optional

From fairy tales and the picture book to books for older readers, this module is an analysis of some key concepts in Children’s Literature. It examines the historical framework in which literature for children emerged and includes opportunities for theoretical analysis of individual authors’ works as well as studies of different genres. In addition the important role of literature for engaging children in the written word and their role in the early classroom experience will be explored.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Teaching and Learning (30 credits) – Optional

This module aims to encourage you to evaluate social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning in educational contexts. It considers the many social and emotional influences on the child and how these affect their learning and educational experience. You are asked to reflect on, and evaluate your own emotions and interpersonal skills, with a view to using this to help you to explore the social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning. A range of theories and skills used by those working with children in education, such as teachers and counsellors, are studied.

The Child in Context (30 credits) – Optional

The module uses Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems model as a vehicle through which to explore a range of issues from a local, social, cultural and global perspective. These will include a number of the following; socio-cultural constructions of parenting and childhood, the ways in which geography, community and neighbourhoods influence developmental outcomes, cultural variances in family types and child rearing practices and the impact of these on children’s outcomes, an exploration of the issues surrounding day-care and the effect of day-care practices on the child, cultural influences on play, migration and childhood, theories of moral development. The module takes an international focus on the wide ranging factors influencing childhood health and well-being looking at child development research beyond the home and family.

Children's Rights and Self-Determination: Theory into Practice (30 credits) – Optional

This module is a study of the concept of children’s rights in law and policy and how these apply in a variety of settings. Legal and policy documents such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Children Act, aimed at promoting children’s rights are debated. Philosophical issues around ‘rights talk’and ‘can children have rights’ are discussed in the context of young citizens, best interests, paramountcy and childhood as social construct, alongside other topical issues.

Creativity and the Arts in Education (30 credits) – Optional

Psychological and sociological approaches to creativity, looking at what creativity is and how creativity is linked to the learning and well-being of individuals. Examining the role of the arts in early childhood and how they are differentiated through education and developmental processes. Comparing and evaluating the role of creativity and the arts in different educational systems, approaches and curricula.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

Early Childhood Studies BA Honours

Price on request