Course summary

Are you a practitioner, working with babies and young children from 0-8 years and their families? Do you want to develop your career in early education, aligning with the specific and specialised remit of early years sector qualifications? This work-based learning foundation degree provides you with the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of early education, reflective leadership and therapeutic interventions, while applying these within your practice to shape the lives of children and families within your care. The FdA Early Years Leadership will provide you with the knowledge, behaviours and skills required to work effectively within the early years sector and lead its ongoing professionalism. You’ll investigate the role of early education and care in the creation of a fair and inclusive society, including how early years practices can impact the life chances of children and their families. The modules you'll study cover themes and subjects that are at the forefront of research-informed early years practice, challenging the inequalities of childhood and developing sustainable outcomes that make positive change. Specific areas of interest are built throughout each year of the programme. This is a DfE-recognised ‘full and relevant’ qualification, which means on completion of this Foundation Degree you are qualified to be included within staff:child ratios within early years settings. This foundation degree will connect your work-based experiences with the skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to gain a full degree (after progression to a Level 6 ‘top-up’ Professional Practice programme), continuing your career progression. This degree is studied alongside your existing work commitments. The course is full-time for two years, during which time you'll attend University for one afternoon/evening per week (Tuesdays 1:00- 6:00pm) in addition to a minimum of two days (12 hours) per week in work-based practice. This qualification is an IfATE approved Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) aligned to the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner standard.

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers. Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications.