Course summary

Early education represents a major area of public investment with the government currently investing £5.2 billion annually. The first few years of children’s lives are crucial to their development and opportunities in later life – and the adults who work with them are ideally placed to make a difference. It is vitally important that practitioners caring for children are appropriately educated themselves in order to deliver effective provision. The early years stages have critical importance at the beginning of a child’s life journey and encompass more than “just play”. The Early Years and Primary Studies course is for those interested in working with children aged 0 - 11 years and offers a holistic approach to child development, the Early Years curriculum, the National Curriculum, legislation and safeguarding. We aim to provide students with an in-depth holistic view of child development and learning to enable students to work in an informed, sensitive and empowering way with children and families. Our students will be key influences in the lives of many children providing physical, emotional, social and intellectual care. The role requires them to support children’s developmental milestones and observe and assess their progress throughout early childhood ensuring that the individual needs and interests of children in settings and schools are met. Students will need skills to work as part of a team to provide enabling environments in which all children can play, develop and learn; building strong partnerships with parents and carers to enable all children’s needs are met. To do this they will complete modules that are relevant to the theory, knowledge, skills and practice that are required to work in the sector. Initial modules will introduce them to research and study skills required to learn at Higher Education level and core practice-based content regarding the curriculum, planning, assessment and safeguarding. The EYFS and National curriculum are weaved in to every module with a specific focus on Special Educational Needs and inclusive practice delivered in Year 2. Regular research and reading will be encouraged and recommended throughout the course for students to maintain current and up to date professional knowledge with an opportunity for action research to be completed in Year 2 and for their final undergraduate dissertation in Year 3. Key theoretical knowledge, will be embedded in practice through placement experiences linked to the professional practice and development modules throughout the three years of the course. Students will be expected to complete 720 placement hours in either paid or voluntary roles in early years settings over the 3 year programme in line with Initial Teacher Training government recommendations. The course team will offer assistance to find placements and supported visits to ensure students can graduate with a high level of both practical and theoretical experience in readiness for the job market. Many of our graduates from the current Early Years provision progress to careers in pre-school or primary school teaching, or work as family support workers or play therapists. Others choose to further their studies on Masters programmes that specialise in specific topics, such as social work or children’s rights.