FdEd Early Childhood Studies (HTQ)

About This Course

Validated by:

Our FdEd Early Childhood Studies has been aligned with the occupational standard for Early Years Lead Practitioner and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) have been approved as meeting occupational standards for the relevant sector.

This programme is designed for those who are currently working, or want to work with children to support their growth and development. The Early Childhood Studies Foundation Degree has been designed for those who are currently working or want to work with young children under the age of eight years. The programme gives students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills to work in a variety of different fields. You will learn to recognise and champion the uniqueness of every child by exploring the key factors that affect them and their families. The course ensures that students are fully equipped and have the necessary foundations, such as the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies which are embedded throughout Level 4 and 5 study, preparing students for progression to Level 6 and employment within the sector.

To achieve the HTQ status both level 4 and level 5 pathways must be completed.

Course Person Specification Full Course Specification

Entry Requirements

Standard Offer:
The successful candidate will require 80 UCAS points gained from an Early Years Educator qualification or equivalent Level 3 or 60 Access-to-HE Credits (of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3), applicants are required to hold English and Maths GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade C/4.

Non-Standard Offer:
The non-standard entry pathway is intended to support students who may not meet the standard academic entry requirements of a HE programme, normally Level 3 qualifications which attract UCAS points (for instance A-Levels or BTEC Level 3 courses). An applicant must hold a Level 2 qualification in Early Years and be able to evidence, with a supporting reference, two years’ work/experience in the field of early education which would give them skills and knowledge comparable to applicants with Level 3 qualifications. An applicant must hold level 2 Maths and English qualifications.

The non-standard applicants will be interviewed, set an appropriate piece of work (1500-word essay) and a judgement will be made considering their academic potential and relevant work/experience.

What You Will Learn

Year 1 (Level 4 Certificate stage) modules:

Study Skills
Safeguarding Children
Personal and Professional Development 1
Personal and Professional Development 2
Young Children’s Learning and Development
Planning for Effective Learning
Personal and Professional Development 3
Enabling Environment

Year 2 (Level 5 Diploma stage) modules:

Personal Development, Transformation and Empowerment 1
Personal Development, Transformation and Empowerment 2
Personal Development, Transformation and Empowerment 3
International Perspectives of Early Years Curriculum
Collaborative Working
Inclusive Practice
Practical Approach to Research
Young Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being

Learning & Teaching Methods

Essay
Report
Individual Presentation
Reflection
Competency File
Primary Research
Secondary Research
Campaign
Vignette

Programme Benefits

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies will draw on a number of different disciplines to enable students to learn how children grow and develop, how they gain language, how children learn through play and how government legislation and policy affects children’s rights, welfare and education. Students will be able to understand and analyse the processes that shape childhood and children’s lives. Practice learning opportunities (personal and practice development) will be integral to the degree and will be provided by a range of placement providers which include schools, pre-schools, private nursery settings, crèches and children’s centres. This foundation degree will provide those already working, or wishing to work, in the early years sector an opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability together with their practical application skills. Furthermore, if students wish to progress with their academic study, this degree provides a foundation for BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies course.The programme can be studied full-time or part-time.

What Next?

Due to the nature of the course, progression may vary depending on the student; however, possible progression routes would include BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Top Up; BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies Top Up, and BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Top Up, all of which are currently offered by TEC Partnership. There may also be scope for students who met the required criteria to consider top up degrees at other HEIs, particularly for those students wishing to progress in to teaching and would require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).As graduate of this programme, you will have the necessary knowledge and skills to gain employment as an early year’s practitioner in the public, private or third sector. The qualification will allow you to be counted in ratios, recognised by the Department for Education. However, students need to be aware of the government policy which states that Early Years educators require GCSE English and Maths, level 4 or C or above, and Early Years teachers require GCSE English, Maths and Science, level 4 or C or above. There will be opportunity for students to further their academic studies at the University Centre Grimsby via progression to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Top Up. Graduates currently go on to a range of careers in the childhood studies area, as well as completing postgraduate qualifications, in order to work in education, health, legal and social work fields.TEC Partnership is committed to offering a related top-up degree in this subject area which will allow graduates to top up to a full bachelor’s degree. It is likely that the top-up programme will be validated under new TEC Partnership Degree Awarding Powers.