Foundation Degree (FdA) Childhood and Education Studies

Unit Information

The course consists of the following modules:

Year 1 (Level 4)

An Introduction to Research and Study Skills (10 credits)
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%)

Children’s Development (20 credits)
This module aims to explore the general stages of development from 0-19 years and identify how domains interrelate as part of holistic development. 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. (Exam 50%, Essay 50%)

Leadership in Practice (10 credits)
This module aims to provide students with an overview of leadership and management by providing a clear distinction of the both. Philosophies and theories of leadership and management will be explored, along with the application of these roles to outcomes for children, young people and their families. (Reflective Account 100%)

Play, Learning and Curricula (20 credits)
This module aims to provide students with an overview of the importance of play to learning and development whilst recognising the role of the main theories and educators in play, learning and the curriculum.

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 both indoors and outdoors. (Presentation 40%, Planned Activities and Evaluations 60%)

Positive Behaviour Approaches (20 credits)
This module aims to extend your knowledge of positive behaviour approaches to support holistic development by gaining a broad, in-depth, theoretical understanding of factors affecting behaviour and the models and approaches to supporting positive behaviour whilst giving consideration to appropriate Government and workplace policies. (Case Study 60%, Presentation 40%)

Continuous Professional Development (20 credits)
This module aims to enable learners to extend their knowledge and skills relating to practice, developing reflexivity, enhanced confidence and decision-making skills. You will be encouraged to develop autonomy and personal responsibility within your professional role and for your own personal development to enable you to make a positive contribution to the lives of children and young people; their learning, development and well-being. (Presentation 40%, Reflective Diary 60% & Log of Hours)

Safeguarding Children and Young People (20 credits)
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 Presentations 40%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

A Green Childhood: Sustainability in Childhood (20 credits)
This module will explore how to introduce the principles of sustainability through pedagogy, process and practice. It will examine what education for sustainability looks like in practice and will consider the contribution of early childhood to support Sustainable Development Goals. The relevance of each curricula framework will be considered and connections made between statutory guidance, policy and pedagogical practice. (Project -Professional Discussion 40%, report 60%)

Advanced Research and Learning (20 credits)
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 development of convincing arguments through the application of valid research, analysis and evaluation. (Annotated Bibliography 50%, Ethics Proposal Form 50%)

Contemporary Educational Perspectives (20 credits)
This module will provide learners with an overview of current educational policy and strategy whilst recognising the competing educational perspectives and assessing the links with current educational priorities both in the UK and internationally. Students will interpret models, strategies, frameworks and initiatives that support teaching and learning and how these are applied in practice. (Essay 70%, Group Project Workshop 30%)

Professionalism, Professional Identity and Multi-Professional Working (20 credits)
This module will focus on professionalism and how it can be understood and defined in a number of ways. Appreciation will be given to the multi‐level and multifaceted phenomenon involving socio‐cultural issues, issues related to national regulation and policy decision‐making, as well as issues related to work communities and the individuals within them. The process of professionalisation will also be explored along with the impact of this on both activities, experiences and the organisation. (Poster 40%, Website Development 60% & Log of Hours)

Health and Wellbeing in Childhood (10 credits)
This module will provide the knowledge, skills and understanding of health and wellbeing topics relevant to childhood in Wales and the UK. It will explore a range of topics such as mental health, healthy eating and health promotion. An opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of how to plan for – and where appropriate meeting and promoting children’s health and wellbeing using a range of strategies will be explored. (Project Wall Display 100%)

Supporting Children and Young People with Additional Learning Needs (20 credits)
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%, Presentation 50%)

Working with Babies, Young Children, Families and Communities (10 credits)
This module will focus upon how effective joint working practices with parents, services and key people, can benefit children. It will explore different models of partnership working and identify the values that underpin accepted good practice including promoting and maintaining partnerships and the principles of effective communication. It will also explore how effective joint working practices with parents and key people, can be beneficial in supporting a range of transitions that children and their families experience such as: starting nursery; school readiness; family bereavement and loss and changes in family structure. How practitioners might work with families and children to mitigate the impact of life changes will also be considered. (Poster Presentation 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

Unit Information

The course consists of the following modules:

Year 1 (Level 4)

An Introduction to Research and Study Skills (10 credits)
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%)

Children’s Development (20 credits)
This module aims to explore the general stages of development from 0-19 years and identify how domains interrelate as part of holistic development. 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. (Exam 50%, Essay 50%)

Leadership in Practice (10 credits)
This module aims to provide students with an overview of leadership and management by providing a clear distinction of the both. Philosophies and theories of leadership and management will be explored, along with the application of these roles to outcomes for children, young people and their families. (Reflective Account 100%)

Play, Learning and Curricula (20 credits)
This module aims to provide students with an overview of the importance of play to learning and development whilst recognising the role of the main theories and educators in play, learning and the curriculum.

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 both indoors and outdoors. (Presentation 40%, Planned Activities and Evaluations 60%)

Positive Behaviour Approaches (20 credits)
This module aims to extend your knowledge of positive behaviour approaches to support holistic development by gaining a broad, in-depth, theoretical understanding of factors affecting behaviour and the models and approaches to supporting positive behaviour whilst giving consideration to appropriate Government and workplace policies. (Case Study 60%, Presentation 40%)

Professionalism, Professional Identity and Multi-Professional Working (20 credits)
This module will focus on professionalism and how it can be understood and defined in a number of ways. Appreciation will be given to the multi‐level and multifaceted phenomenon involving socio‐cultural issues, issues related to national regulation and policy decision‐making, as well as issues related to work communities and the individuals within them. The process of professionalisation will also be explored along with the impact of this on both activities, experiences and the organisation. (Poster 40%, Website Development 60% & Log of Hours)

Safeguarding Children and Young People (20 credits)
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 Presentations 40%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

A Green Childhood: Sustainability in Childhood (20 credits)
This module will explore how to introduce the principles of sustainability through pedagogy, process and practice. It will examine what education for sustainability looks like in practice and will consider the contribution of early childhood to support Sustainable Development Goals. The relevance of each curricula framework will be considered and connections made between statutory guidance, policy and pedagogical practice. (Project -Professional Discussion 40%, report 60%)

Advanced Research and Learning (20 credits)
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 development of convincing arguments through the application of valid research, analysis and evaluation. (Annotated Bibliography 50%, Ethics Proposal Form 50%)

Contemporary Educational Perspectives (20 credits)
This module will provide learners with an overview of current educational policy and strategy whilst recognising the competing educational perspectives and assessing the links with current educational priorities both in the UK and internationally. Students will interpret models, strategies, frameworks and initiatives that support teaching and learning and how these are applied in practice. (Essay 70%, Group Project Workshop 30%)

Continuous Professional Development (20 credits)
This module aims to enable learners to extend their knowledge and skills relating to practice, developing reflexivity, enhanced confidence and decision-making skills. You will be encouraged to develop autonomy and personal responsibility within your professional role and for your own personal development to enable you to make a positive contribution to the lives of children and young people; their learning, development and well-being. (Presentation 40%, Reflective Diary 60% & Log of Hours)

Health and Wellbeing in Childhood (10 credits)
This module will provide the knowledge, skills and understanding of health and wellbeing topics relevant to childhood in Wales and the UK. It will explore a range of topics such as mental health, healthy eating and health promotion. An opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of how to plan for – and where appropriate meeting and promoting children’s health and wellbeing using a range of strategies will be explored. (Project Wall Display 100%)

Supporting Children and Young People with Additional Learning Needs (20 credits)
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%, Presentation 50%)

Working with Babies, Young Children, Families and Communities (10 credits)
This module will focus upon how effective joint working practices with parents, services and key people, can benefit children. It will explore different models of partnership working and identify the values that underpin accepted good practice including promoting and maintaining partnerships and the principles of effective communication. It will also explore how effective joint working practices with parents and key people, can be beneficial in supporting a range of transitions that children and their families experience such as: starting nursery; school readiness; family bereavement and loss and changes in family structure. How practitioners might work with families and children to mitigate the impact of life changes will also be considered. (Poster Presentation 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