Foundation Degree (FdA) Childhood and Education Studies

This Foundation Degree offers education to people who already work in the childhood studies field, in a variety of formal and informal roles. It contains a comprehensive range of modules, covering core subject areas and specialist vocational areas.

The course is designed to help you progress your career by giving you the training that employers value. Most importantly, it gives you a combination of practical skills and academic understanding. This improves your expertise by helping you critically reflect on your own professional work.

Throughout your studies you will be equipped with the vocational skills that are needed by employers in the Early Years and Learning Support professions, or wherever there is a childhood and learning support dimension to employment. You will build upon your current skills and you will gain a recognised qualification to verify your capabilities.

Unit Information

The course consists of the following modules:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Child Development (20 credits, compulsory)

The module aims to identify and describe norms of typical child development and link these, through observation, to a consideration of individual developmental needs. It will identify and define a wide range of developmental theories for children and explain how they are used in a range of childcare and learning support contexts. In addition, it will identify and define the role of the adult in supporting child development. (Observation 100%)

Child Centred and Inclusive Practice (10 credits, compulsory)

The module offers students a grounding in the principles of child centred and inclusive practice approaches and allows students to explore how child centred and inclusive practice can be implemented individually by practitioners and collectively by organisations. (Essay 100%)

Play and Learning (20 credits, compulsory)

The module offers students a grounding in identifying the play needs and preferences of children and young people, the adult role in planning and supporting to meet the play needs of children and young people and an understanding of the importance of providing a play based curriculum. (Individual presentation 60%, Activity Plan 40%)

Safeguarding Children (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to provide students with an insight of the legal, ethical and professional practice that governs safeguarding children and young people. This module will provide students with an understanding of key theories and current contemporary themes within the current safeguarding agenda. In addition, students will gain knowledge of the principles and practices of safeguarding children and young people, with particular reference to how and why the practice of reporting and recording of child abuse is paramount within childhood and learning settings. (Essay 60%, Group Presentation 40%)

The Child in Society (20 credits, compulsory)

To provide a basic introduction to sociology and develop student’s understanding and knowledge of the sociology of childhood. Students will be encouraged to draw upon a number of established sociological theories in order to understand and critically explore issues surrounding ‘childhood’ and ‘the child’ and investigate the ways in which children and childhood have been viewed historically. Finally, students will have the opportunity to examine how children and childhood are affected by recent social changes. (Essay 50%, Individual Presentation 50%)

Personal and Professional Development (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to enable learners to carry out a number of knowledge based and employment related tasks required to meet the standards described in the Higher Level National Occupational Standards. You will be introduced to the requirements of the Early Childhood Practitioner Status qualification. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop skills in relation to creating nurturing and inclusive environments which provide high quality care and education. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own development in your practice. (Individual Portfolio 100%)

Academic Skills for Practitioners (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to develop the study skills of the learners, enabling the production of sound academic writing, the introduction of critical thought and basic research skills. It will enable students to develop skills in academic writing, the use of academic conventions, information research, reflection and the management and organisation of their work. (Portfolio 100%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

Development and Learning (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to provide students with the ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of learning theories. It will consider what is involved in effective early learning and explore the impact of the theories on practice. Students will also evaluate behavioural theories and assess their application in developing positive behaviours in an early childhood or an educational setting. (Essay 60%, Case Study 40%)

Supporting Children and Young People with Additional Learning Needs (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the term Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and also, an insight into the different types of ALN that may result in children and young people requiring support. This module will also consider the importance of acknowledging how children and young people may feel, this will include reference to health and well-being, emotional resilience and the theories and frameworks used to support ALN. In addition, this module will provide an insight into external and personal factors that can further impact upon the child or young person with ALN. (Essay 50%, Individual Presentation 50%)

Supporting Teaching and Learning (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to develop students’ awareness of current educational policy and strategy, recognising competing educational perspectives and assessing the link to current educational priorities. This module examines the concepts and principles that underpin the teaching of literacy and numeracy across the age range. (Essay 50%, Group Presentation 50%)

Leadership in Practice (20 credits, compulsory)

This module provides students with an overview of leadership philosophies and theories within which they can justify the effectiveness of management and leadership within childhood and learning support settings, and the impact that leadership has on the quality of outcomes for children, young people and their families. (Reflective Diary 100%)

Communicating and Working Together (10 credits, compulsory)

This module explores different models of working in partnership and identifies the values that underpin accepted good practice including promoting and maintaining partnerships and breaking down barriers to engagement. To include an appreciation of issues surrounding learning disability and mental health when working with the family and professional partnerships. (Essay 70%, Poster Presentation 30%)

Personal and Professional Development (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to enable learners to carry out a number of knowledge based and employment related tasks required to meet the standards described in the Higher Level National Occupational Standards. During this module, you will further develop the skills needed to achieve Early Years Practitioner Status, focusing on working with families. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop your understanding of a range of frameworks used in settings, developing skills in creating supportive environments for the provision of play, care, educational and learning opportunities. You will also engage in assessment and planning processes. (Individual Portfolio 100%)

Research Skills (20 credits, compulsory)

The module aims to enable students to apply a range of research skills appropriate to study of childhood and learning support studies. It will require students to demonstrate enhanced skills in academic writing and information research and to apply a range of valid research methodologies and instruments. Students will also develop an understanding of ethics and learn how to give consideration to the importance of ethics in research. In addition, the module will focus upon the construction of convincing arguments through the application of valid research, analysis and evaluation. (Research Proposal 100%)

Career Opportunities

• Child-Carer
• Nursery Worker
• Leadership and Management
• Teaching
• Family Support Worker
• Learning Mentor
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Special Educational Needs Teacher
• Social Worker
• Teaching Assistant
• Youth Worker
• Child Psychotherapist
• Children's Nurse
• Community Development Worker
• Counsellor
• Educational Psychologist
• Speech and Language Therapist