Where will this course lead?

Taking up a career within Early Years gives you the opportunity to develop and cover a range of working environments, such as an Early Years Educator, Private Nanny, Lead Practitioner, or Childminder. You might also work with families and children in an advisory role for organisations in the public, private or charitable sectors. Wider opportunities include work in commercial organisations which are oriented to children and families e.g. children's publishing or broadcasting, children's leisure activities. Ideally, you will continue your studies to achieve the BA Hons (Year Three). If you do not hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification you can gain Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies alongside this degree. This will be awarded at Level 6. https://www.ecsdn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ECSDN-Booket-Rev-July-2020.pdf

Further progression opportunities include Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or to master's Level and beyond to become involved in research or academia. If so, you should explore this possibility with your Tutors.

What will I study?

Over a two-year period, a substantial amount of your learning will take place in your workplace through the planned and supported tasks and projects we will set you.

You will undertake study in areas such as child development, communication, language and literacy, inclusion, policy and practice, health, and management issues in Early Years to develop a robust understanding of various aspects of Early Years.

All modules are compulsory.

How will this course be delivered?

This course is delivered as a full-time programme, over two academic years. You will need to be at college 1 day per week from 9.00 - 6.00 pm (Year 1 - Monday, Year 2 - Wednesday). Study skills and tutorial sessions are scheduled weekly. You will also be required to access online learning materials.

What qualifications will I get?

Foundation Degree in Early Years (Oxford Brookes University) - 240 Credits. Students completing only the first year of the course will achieve a Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits).

Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. This will be awarded at Level 6.

How will I be assessed?

The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, presentations, tutorials and group work and self-directed study. There are no exams; all assessment is via assignments which will include essays, presentations, practical activities, observations, and activity plans.

Teaching and Learning strategies will encourage students to:

Engage in new areas of knowledge.

Broaden and deepen their existing knowledge, understanding and skills.

Engage in critical analysis of texts, theories, and practices and to test students' analysis against received understandings and practices.

Question concepts, theories, policies, and practice encountered during their studies.

Interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research to come to an understanding of the significance and limitations of theory and research.

Engage in critical reflection of their own and others' value systems, development, and practices

How do I get a place on the course?

To gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All applications are to be submitted via UCAS using the following codes:

UCAS CODE: L520

INSTITUTION CODE: O66 (Oxford Brookes University)

CAMPUS CODE: L

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application, we can help with this too. https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services

What are the entry requirements?

You will need to have been working or have done voluntary work in a relevant childcare and education setting, working with children under 8 years.

You must also hold a relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification. Applicants with other Level 3 qualifications and A levels will be considered on an individual basis.

Foundation degrees are not typical degrees, so there is no typical offer. Each application will be considered on its merits and in the light of your employer's commitment to support your learning.

All students need to be able to demonstrate competency in English and maths, possess suitable references and have a successful College interview.

Applicants whose first language is not English, must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by successfully completing a recognised test to demonstrate capability in English at a standard commensurate to IELTS 6.0.

English and Maths GCSE Grade C/4 (Level 2 equivalents are considered but not acceptable for progression to Early Years Teacher or QTS. Students will also require a Science GCSE at grade C/4 or above to progress to Teacher Training).

You will need to obtain a Disclosure Barring Service Check (DBS) and provide evidence of suitable employment or a work placement following your successful interview; this will need to be in place for the start of the course.

To be admitted on to year two of the programme you should have gained 120 UCAS points as well as a good academic reference.

What else do I need to know?

You should be working with children aged 0-8 for a minimum of 10 hours per week either paid or voluntary for the duration of the course.

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College and University Centre are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver by both the college and Oxford Brookes University. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately

qualified, and where appropriate, possess relevant vocational experience and professional practice

This course is a full-time program, and you will be expected to attend 1 day per week between the hours of 9-6, timetables will be issued to successful applicants upon induction and enrolment in September of the current Academic year.

You will need to consider travel costs to and from work placements and college. There may be additional costs for relevant field trips and equipment such as textbooks, computer equipment as well as costs for printing resources and photocopying, as necessary.

You will need a DBS to work with children, which is an additional cost of £50

If you need to re-sit a module due to non-achievement, this will also incur a cost.

Info about finance bursaries etc. - https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services/

Please read our full terms and conditions https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/policies-and-applicant-information/

Please note that when you enrol you are accepting that the course content and module descriptions are accurate at the time of publishing and that the course content as described is based on what is possible to deliver under the government advice and social distancing rules at that particular time. In the event of changes made to those rules, by national or local government, the College may need to make further alterations to the published course content. By enrolling with the College, you will be confirming that you are content to proceed with the course as detailed at that time and on the basis that the programme may be subject to reasonable change.

What can I do after this course?

A growing number of students choose to complete the third year of study to gain a full honours degree in Early Childhood Studies. Some foundation degree students, on completion of a third year, apply for a PGCE programme. Opportunities for further study then exist at postgraduate level, for those who wish to progress further; this includes the MA Childhood Studies.

If you wish to progress to Initial Teacher Training or Early Years Teacher Status you must have Mathematics, English, and a Science subject at GCSE Grade C or above.

Careers staff are available to discuss and plan individual progression plans.