Early Years Education (Work-based Learning)

Course Structure and Content

The course is delivered at Weston College for one day per week for one year full-time. However, as a member of the course you will be a student on a Bath Spa honours degree.

At honours level you will play an important role in the management of your own learning by:

• building on skills developed during your foundation degree or equivalent qualification such as reflective practice, report-writing, critical evaluation, portfolio development, presentation and ICT skills;

• gaining advanced research techniques by identifying a research proposal and project plan in preparation for a work-based project based upon a topic/issue arising from your work-based setting;

• undertaking a 40 credit work-based learning project module which will equip you with project management and decision-making skills whilst in a work-based setting;

• undertaking a leadership, teamwork and management module which will enhance your career potential in the Early Years sector.

You will study innovative approaches to how young children engage in learning, observe children in their own learning environment and develop strategies to promote their literacy skills in Early Years settings.

Teaching Methods and Resources

Much of the learning for the BA (Hons) Early Years Education (Work-based) programme will take place in your work-based setting. You will be designated a project supervisor who will provide you with guidance and support for your work-based project module.

Taught sessions will take place one day a week at Weston College to enable you to continue in employment. These will include lectures, group activities, seminars and workshops, additional tutorials may be arranged to suit your individual needs.

You will have the support of a personal tutor throughout your studies and you will also be allocated a mentor to support your work-based learning and professional development.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways:

Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways:

• Workplace portfolios;

• Reflective journals;

• Critical reading and analysis;

• Practice in the workplace;

• Work-based research proposal;

• Work-based project report;

• Case studies;

• Seminar presentations;

• Written essays.

There are no examinations.

Career Opportunities

For the BA (Hons) Early Years Education (Work-based) programme potential career pathways are as follows:

• can lead onto the 6th month Short Extended Professional Development (EPD) Pathway and achieve the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) qualification;*

• teacher training;**

• social work training;

• management role in Early Years centres;

• work in child protection;

• work in local Sure Start projects;

• work in integrated centres;

• community liaison work.

If you wish to become a teacher you can apply for the PGCE teacher training course at Bath Spa University when you have completed the honours degree.**

* To continue onto the short pathway and achieve the EYPS qualification students will need to have obtained grade C or above in GCSE Maths and English or equivalent (English Literature is not accepted).

** Students wishing to undertake a PGCE in Primary or Middle Years at Bath Spa University will need five GCSEs passes at grade C or above (or recognised equivalents) including English, Maths and a Science subject.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

You will be expected to have successfully completed a Bath Spa University accredited Foundation Degree in Early Years or equivalent qualification and will normally have achieved a minimum average grade profile of 50% in year two of your Foundation degree or equivalent qualification.

If you do not have formal qualifications, previous experience may be taken into account. Candidates will be assessed on an individual basis.

It is a condition of entry that you will have secured a suitable work-based learning setting by the time of admission.

Please be aware that you will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure check prior to undertaking school placements.