Foundation Degree in Early Years, Care and Education

Foundation Degree in Early Years, Care and Education

Level: This is a Level 5 course.

What is the Foundation Degree in Early Years, Care & Education course?
This is a three year course intended for those who already have an NVQ 3 or equivalent. For those with no prior academic knowledge, you will need to have extensive experience in early years. Some students are able to apply to start in Year 2, with advanced standing if they have NVQ 4 or equivalent or can demonstrate they meet the outcomes from extensive experience.

You will need to have good levels of written and spoken English, be good with numbers and computer skills, but you will have IT training and full access to computer facilities both during taught sessions and for private study at college, you will also be given support to develop study skills from many other sources.

NB An interview is required before you can enrol on this course.

Course topics include

• Working with Parents
• Professional Development
• Curriculum Planning and Legislation
• Professional Collaboration and Safeguarding Children
• Use of Information for Decision Making
• Cognitive and Psychosocial Development

Teaching and Learning
The course is part time and students attend Alton College for the equivalent of a 4 hour sessions per week during term time. There are occasional Saturday schools to explore more complex topics. These sessions are arranged so that students can benefit from working in groups.

Lectures provide a basic grounding in a particular topic with regular group seminars and discussions to allow for opportunities to explore ideas and share good practice. There will be one-to-one tutorials to help develop learning and key skills which will be instrumental in monitoring your progress. Additionally, some topics will be taught via the online learning environment.

Assessment details
You will need to complete professional development units. The coursework assessment takes a variety of different forms including case studies, reflective reports, essays, presentations and group work.

Progression
Students who complete this Foundation Degree can move on to gain an Early Years Professional (EYP) status or to complete a top up course at one of the local universities to achieve a BA (hons) Degree.

Notes

NB There will be no classes on Wednesday evening 3 March 2010

Extra costs : Books approximately £30, writing materials, paper,

A4 file and calculator.

Related items
Adult Education General Information.