Early Years - Sector Endorsed | City College Plymouth

Course Overview

Type of Course and Awarding Body

Foundation Degree, FdA (awarded by Plymouth University)

Level

Level Four

Level Five

What's it all about?

The Foundation Degree in Early Years was developed in response to Government initiatives to introduce a graduate workforce within early years settings.

It is intended to develop students who are reflective practitioners, with an ability to understand and apply the principles of evidence-based practice. The course will involve you working wih colleagues in the workplace to evaluate and reflect on your own and others' practices.

Course modules include child development, multi-agency working, child protection and the role of the senior practitioner, which will help to support further development of reflective practice.

Progression

Subject to specific requirements, this foundation degree is designed typically to:

build upon students' level 3 achievement and practical experience and provide the competencies, knowledge and understanding required at senior practitioner level
provide the first two years learning towards an ordinary or honours degree linked to a programme of initial teacher training
provide the first two years learning towards another degree in the early years, care or play work areas.

Successful students may be eligible to progress to the final year of the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at Plymouth University.

Entry Requirements

In our experience in order to be successful on this level of course you will need one of the following level 3 early years qualifications:

CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education, BTEC National Diploma in Early Years
equivalent qualifications eg NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
working at English Language GCSE grade C (this can be assessed at interview if qualification not held).

You should have at least two years' experience as a practitioner at level 3 (Current or within the last two years). Candidates also need to have GCSE English language at grade C or an equivalent qualification. Those wishing to progress to primary teacher training must have a grade C or equivalent in English, maths and science.

Duration

Two years

Business Benefits

This foundation degree will provide you with the competencies, knowledge and understanding required at senior practitioner level. It provides the first two years' learning towards the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) or an honours degree in early years, care, playwork or initial teacher training. (EYPS is the gold standard for those working with children under the age of five enabling them to demonstrate the excellence of their personal practice and their ability to lead the practice of others. The government's aim is to have an early years professional in every daycare setting by 2015.)

Are there any exams?

Modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework, case studies, in-class discussions, presentations, group work and reflection and analysis of activities and observations completed in the workplace.

Course Content

What does the course involve?

This course is intended to more fully develop students' ability to professionaly reflect on their practice and to further extend understanding and application of principles of evidence based practice. The course will involve you in working with colleagues in the workplace to evaluate and reflect on own and others' practices.

The course is endorsed by the early years sector and will involve studying modules which are directly related to the work place to enable you to:

assess, review and update own knowledge of significant and emerging theory and practice
contribute to the safeguarding of children from abuse
work with other professionals in a multi-agency capacity
develop, implement and evaluate specific plans and activities to meet individual needs of children
assess and enhance the intellectual and cognitive development of children
assess and enhance the personal, social and emotional development of children
work with parents to enhance their children's learning and development
provide information to support decision making
develop own resources
enable children to participate confidently and effectively in activities
evaluate and use ICT to support children's learning and development
plan purposeful play with groups of children.

In addition, a minimum of two learning outcomes from the route specific sections need to be taken. These route specific outcomes relate to working with babies in partnership with parents, working with the curriculum, assisting teachers and play work.

When can I study?

Thursdays, 9.00am - 6.00pm

Course Facts

Apply Now

Start Date:

1 August 2012

Course Type:

Part-time

Location:

Goschen Centre

Course Fees:

Please contact info@cityplym.ac.uk or phone reception on 01752 305300 for details

Instalments:

Please contact info@cityplym.ac.uk or phone reception on 01752 305300 for details.

Material Fees:

Please contact info@cityplym.ac.uk or phone reception on 01752 305300 for details

Level:

No level information available

Course Code:

UX2828

Certain "part-time" courses may become "full-time" courses if additional courses are taken.

If you are aged 16-18, due to Government funding, tuition fees may not be applicable for your course (Please note: this does not apply to foundation degrees or access to higher education courses, and other courses not eligible for public funding).

Please note that fees quoted apply to courses starting in the academic year 2011 / 12 (August 2011 - July 2012). There may be a slight increase in fees for courses starting 2012 / 13.

Early Years - Sector Endorsed