FdA Early Years Childhood Studies - Economic Solutions - Part-time

Foundation degree

In Bolton

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Foundation degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Duration

    3 Years

If you’re currently working with young children in early years education or if you’re taking on a substantial voluntary role in the sector, our Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood Studies at The Growth Company in Manchester could be just what you’re looking for.

The course aims to provide a solid foundation in early years education and integrate this knowledge with your real-life experiences in the workplace. You’ll be able to apply what you learn to practical situations from your working life. You can then use the experience to reflect on how it’s possible to improve the services you provide to the children in your care and their families.

During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and broaden your practical and theoretical early years knowledge. At the end of the course, we hope you’ll emerge with the confidence and the skills to take on additional responsibilities at work, as well as consider the possibility of further study – such as the BA (Hons) Professional Development in Early Years (top-up) degree course.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

On request

About this course

Our Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood Studies is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the theories underpinning all fields of the early years sector, including play, care, health and education.

This qualification aims to develop your skills in communication, time management, team working, critical analysis, negotiation, problem solving and dealing with difficult situations. We’ll support you to develop your skills as a reflective practitioner and leader in the work setting or advance your existing career in the early years sector.

Upon successful completion of this course, you can undertake a variety of careers including working in children’s centres, nurseries and primary schools, and other early childhood care and education settings. Some of the typical roles include early years teacher, nursery nurse, family support worker, learning mentor, teaching assistant and youth worker.

You may choose to go on and specialise within a particular area, such as special educational needs, or progress on to our BA (Hons) Professional Development in Early Years (top-up) course.

Alternative Career Options
Counselling
Occupational therapy
Mental health
Social work
Teaching and education
Health promotion
Mentoring
Armed forces
Community support
Care home management
Health services management
Child protection
Children’s nursing
Educational psychology
Speech and language

Your Level 3 subjects must include a childcare-related subject; for instance, a BTEC Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development. You should also have four GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) in any subjects.

If you don’t have the above qualifications, but possess considerable relevant vocational experience in the early years sector, then we’ll be delighted to consider your application.

Our FdA Early Years Childhood Studies was established in 2003 and is highly regarded by employers. The programme was originally endorsed by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). This professional body no longer exists and the UK government is currently in discussions with the sector regarding a new professional body and recognition.

Key Features:
The Growth Company is a well-established partner of the University of Bolton, based in Manchester, and focusing on early years, initial teacher training and business courses.
A link tutor provides academic communication between The Growth Company and the University of Bolton academic school, so that the experience you receive as an off campus student is equivalent to an on campus student.
You’ll be encouraged to develop critical awareness of current issues within the childcare sector.
Early years employers are involved with monitoring and evaluation of the programme, both as workplace mentors and as students on the course.
The programme is designed around the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children’s Workforce, which is an external reference that ensures skills learnt meet a commonly accepted standard.
The course has been developed with the possibility of flexible delivery, to meet the needs of both you and your employer.

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Subjects

  • Teaching
  • Teacher Education
  • University
  • IT
  • Skills and Training
  • IT Development
  • Presentation
  • IT Management
  • Management
  • Evaluation
  • Planning
  • Part Time

Course programme

Modules

Modules listed below are a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules as part of the course.

  • Study Skills and Personal Development Planning
  • The Developing Child
  • Facilitating Children's Learning
  • Inclusive Practice
  • Social Policy for Early Years
  • Learning in the Digital Age
  • Developing Reflective Practice
  • Safeguarding Children
  • Managing Sessions with Children
  • Research Perspectives
  • Independent Study
Teaching, Learning And Assessment

Each module begins with classes that introduce the course content. We then explore how to apply these concepts to workplace scenarios. In this way we help you to learn to apply your new found knowledge in practice. Tutorials form part of each module and you’ll receive support for your independent work. In addition, the practice trainer will develop your professional practice through observations in the workplace, feedback and one-to-one discussions.

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course, including essays, presentations, case studies, activity plans, reflective accounts, critical evaluations and, in the final module, an independent study related to an area of your practice.

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up to date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

FdA Early Years Childhood Studies - Economic Solutions - Part-time

Price on request