Course summary

Unlock your potential and be part of a workforce which can truly shape the lives of young children and families. This dynamic and forward-thinking programme is your gateway to a rewarding career dedicated to the holistic development of children from birth to eight years. Join a Foundation Year focused on personal, study and career development. Explore the link between study and practice and start to develop transferable skills key to gaining successful employment Experience an inclusive and flexible learning environment, supported by a friendly and experienced staff team committed to your growth and success. Following successful completion of your Foundation Year you will:

Explore a range of contemporary topics relevant to working with children from birth to eight years and key to gaining employment in the early years sector. Early Childhood Studies draws on the domains of psychology, sociology, education and health and wellbeing.

Gain practical experience through diverse placements in schools, nurseries, local authorities, third sector organisations, and the private sector. Contextualise your learning and build valuable employment relationships.

Benefit from additional training and qualifications to enhance your CV such as Outdoor Learning, Makaton and Paediatric First Aid.

Modules

Foundation Year The Foundation Year provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to successfully join your chosen degree route at level 4. MODULES Study Skills for Success – In this module you will learn about the study skill needed to be a successful student. Resilience for HE and Beyond – This module will help you to develop your resilience as a degree level student and focus on your personal development. A Day In The Life - This module encourages you to explore the potential career options open to you on completion of your chosen degree. You will explore the professions linked to your chosen degree and start preparing a graduate portfolio for employers. Life and Work In The Welsh Context – This module will help you to explore your subject area and/or desired career in relation to living and working in Wales today. Optional module – You will be able to choose from a range of modules including numeracy, science, communication and Welsh language (beginners). Your choice of module will made with the support of your personal tutor to best fit your future study/career needs. Year 1 (Level 4) Level 4 offers you the opportunity to build strong foundations in the field of education studies. You will learn how to be a degree level student and prepare for and undertake your first 6 week placement. MODULES Play and Outdoor Learning (Core) – This module will introduce you to the importance of play in children’s lives, learning and development. You will explore the value of moving learning outdoors and how this is represented in the early years curriculum. You will make the link between play and being outdoors and examine how practitioners can support the holistic needs of young children. Contemporary Debates in Childhood and Education (Core) – In this module you will explore the different and varied influences that society and the environment has on childhood and education. Topics could include mental health, technology, sustainability, race, gender and poverty. Psychology of Childhood (Core) -In this module you will develop a psychological understanding of child development and consider how adults can influence the way children think, feel, and interact with the world around them. – This module will prepare you for placement by exploring the expectations, conduct and attitudes required in the workplace. You will cover health and safety, safeguarding and the ethics of working with children. You will also start to consider your own future career goals. During this module you will experience a 6 week placement in practice. Skills for Study and Employability (Core) – This module is all about building study and employability skills. You will be guided to explore your current skills and to develop these further to enhance your learning journey and future career outcomes. This module will also help you to develop digital technology skills to use in your studies and in employment. Year 2 (Level 5) Level 5 builds on the skills and knowledge you developed at level 4 by further specialising in the field of education. At level 5 you are introduced to authentic work-based research and you will engage with your extended 8 week placement. MODULES Speech and Language Development in Early Childhood (Core) Social Action – Supporting Children and Families in Society (Core) Children’s Rights and the Law (Core) Practice Informed Research (Core) Year 3 (Level 6) At level 6 the aim is to successfully complete your degree and move into employment. You will explore the role of leadership in practice and plan for your own professional development whilst out on a three week placement. You will also further develop your independent study skills by completing your final year dissertation. MODULES Critical Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing (Core) Exploring Expressive Arts (Core) Leadership and Professional Development (Core) Dissertation (Core)

Assessment method

As a full-time student you will attend campus for up to 3 days per week which will include a mixture of classroom and online based learning. Classroom sessions provide you with an opportunity to learn alongside your fellow students and are based in activity and discussion. Online materials are used to prepare you for the classroom sessions and to provide follow-on work/research for you to complete in your own time. A range of assessment methods will be used throughout your Foundation Year to allow you to practice the academic skills required of a degree level student. On successfully completing your Foundation Year, placements will start in the first year (level 4) of your main degree programme. Placement in practice forms an important part of your degree studies. During your studies you will undertake 3 placements: Level 4 - Professional Practice for Childhood and Education (40 credits). You will attend placement for 2 days per week for 6 weeks (84 hrs). At level 4 the purpose of the placement is for you to explore and experience professional competencies in practice. Level 5 - Practice Informed Research (60 credits). You will attend placement 3 days a week for 8 weeks (168 hrs). At level 5 the purpose of the placement is for you to engage with authentic research ideas and to collect primary research data. Level 6 - Leadership and Professional Development (40 credits). You will attend placement 3 days a week for 3 weeks (63 hrs). At level 6 the purpose of the placement is for you to observe leadership skills and to consider your own professional development in relation to future employment. Our placements include (but are not limited to) schools; nursery settings; local authority settings, for example the Child Prevention and Support Service and Flying Start; third sector organisations, for example Home Start, Action for Children and Save the Family; and the private sector, for example Residential Homeless Support for Families and Residential Family Assessment Centres.

EU	£9000*	Year 1
England	£9000*	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9000*	Year 1
Scotland	£9000*	Year 1
Wales	£9000*	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9000*	Year 1
International	£11750*	Year 1

Degree level: Undergraduate

Awarded by: Wrexham University (Prifysgol Wrecsam)

Early Childhood Studies (with Foundation Year)

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Course summary

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UCAS Tariff - 48 points

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