Education (Early Childhood Studies) FdA

at South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site

Duration

3 Years

Location

South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site

Are you keen on helping develop minds for the future?  This may be the next step in fulfilling those aspirations, a Foundation Degree that offers comprehensive coverage of the knowledge and skills required by those supporting learning and teaching.

The course will allow you to develop personal and transferable skills and enable you to make an immediate contribution within your working life. This will be achieved by studying a range of modules over the course.

The strategies for teaching and learning are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. You will also be required to complete work related tasks in all modules. This will provide you with the opportunity to link theoretical perspectives to your practice. It will also enable you to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and policies.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies)

Part-time study

The course is delivered one day per week.

Work placements

Students on this course are normally working in early childhood settings. Your existing workplace will make up your placement location.

Consequently a good deal of learning on this course will take place in the workplace using the experience of colleagues, observation, practice and reflective discussion.

 

Course content

Each module will vary slightly in the learning and teaching styles adopted. However, to get the most out of your studies, a blended approach will offer flexibility of learning through the use of face-to-face and virtual lectures, workshops and group work.

Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to reflect critically; to listen carefully to the views of others; to question values and opinions; to investigate evidence and draw upon your own informed conclusions. The teaching approach will often be activity based and participatory and you will be expected to take a full and responsible part.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Learning And Holistic Development 40 credits
Personal And Professional Development 20 credits
Safeguarding And Developing Educational Practice 40 credits
Supporting Learning And Inclusion 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Planning For Learning 40 credits
Professionalism And Career Development (Ecs) 20 credits
Working With Young Children (Guided Research In Early Years) 40 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Leadership And Team Working 20 credits

Location

You will study at South Staffordshire College - Lichfield but receive a qualification from Staffordshire University.

Lichfield offers a wide range of courses at Further Education and Higher Education level, in addition to a range of adult and community courses.

South Staffordshire College - Lichfield website
South Staffordshire College - Lichfield logo

Entry requirements

FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies)* pathway

All part-time applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, you would normally

  • Demonstration of a clear Enhanced DBS check which confirms that there are no reasons why a candidate should not work with children
  • Be in employment (either paid or voluntary) within an educational setting

for at least four hours a week

  • Have 64 UCAS points or hold an appropriate Level 3 with suitable work experience

  • GCSE qualifications in English and Maths or demonstration of a level 2 competence.
  • If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 or above

* Eligibility to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at level 3 requires you to hold a relevant EY Level 3 qualification, which should be gained prior to studying this pathway.

 

Careers

You can progress onto the BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree or the BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree with Early Years specialism, which may provide a route into PGCE qualification and teaching. 

Graduates from this course have also secured promotions within their current roles, working within education.

Your degree isn't just about securing that all-important academic qualification. It’s about gaining life and work skills to help you get ahead in the job market and gain employers’ respect. As a graduate of awarding body Staffordshire University, you'll gain skills and attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd, and become an employable, enterprising and entrepreneurial individual.

If you choose to progress on to BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree with Early Years specialism these are some careers that you may wish to consider What can I do with a early childhood studies degree? | Prospects.ac.uk

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The theoretical perspectives explored will enable you to reflect upon and share your experience, and relate this to current thinking. You will be encouraged to develop your observational skills and to question your own practice and that of others, to investigate how this is influential in the development of the ‘whole child’. The teaching and learning experience will offer a range of opportunities to develop the skills of the reflective practitioner, a theme which is integral throughout all modules within the programme.

Assessment

The assessment tasks set over the duration of the programme have been designed to develop and build upon a wide range of personal and professional skills, whilst strongly reinforcing links between theory and practical application. The assessment strategy has been constructed to reflect the changing role of the early childhood studies practitioner at all ages from 0 - 8.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Year 1

10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning

Year 2

10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning

Year 3

10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning

Independent learning

Independent learing and reflection takes place throughout the course. This includes access to reading, work placements and access to virtual learning enviroments and blended activities

Year 1

20% practical assessments
80% coursework
0% written exams

Year 2

8% practical assessments
92% coursework
0% written exams

Year 3

0% practical assessments
100% coursework
0% written exams

Fees

As a part-time student studying at one of our partner colleges your fees are fee protected, meaning you will pay the same fee each year for the duration of your course.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Apply

Applications are currently unavailable.

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