Early Years Sector-Endorsed FdA

institute of education

Early Years Sector-Endorsed FdA

If you are working with children in an Early Years setting then this qualification will not only add to your knowledge and understanding, it will also enable you to progress to Honours level study. This can lead on to Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) or a teaching qualification and wider career prospects.

It is a sector-endorsed programme endorsed by the Children’s Workforce Development Council and is designed to be work-based, enabling you to work alongside professionals in the field. It is ideally suited for those who are already working in Early Years settings as either employed, voluntary or placement experience as it can be achieved on a part-time basis. The course is delivered in a range of partner institutions: some offer both full-time and part-time routes.

This course enables you to further develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the principles of practice, professional collaboration and management. It also includes planning and managing an Early Years curriculum.

This University of Worcester course is delivered at the following partner institutions

  • New College (Redditch) (Full-time and Part-time)
  • Birmingham Metropolitan College, (Part - time)
  • Worcester College of Technology, (Part - time)
  • Ludlow College, (Part - time)
  • Bournville College, (Part - time)
  • Herefordshire Local Authority (Hereford)
  • Halesowen College (Full-time and Part-time)

Logos of partner institutions.

Who should apply?

The part-time course is aimed at people who are already employed or working voluntarily in an early years setting for at least 7 hours per week. 

The full-time course is aimed at people who are progressing from level 3 study or those who may not have relevant qualifications or previous experience in an early years context, who are looking to develop their practice and achieve a relevant qualification. Full-time students are assisted in finding appropriate settings within which they can complete course practice experience requirements.

The course seeks to recruit students from a range of educational backgrounds, including those with significant experience of working in early years settings and those who are progressing from vocational or academic courses at college or school.  A lack of formal qualifications is not necessarily a barrier to joining the course if you have relevant experience and commitment to learning. 

The course is committed to widening participation, and welcomes applications from males, black and ethnic minority groups and those with disabilities, who are currently under-represented.  University and College equal opportunity policies apply in relation to course admissions processes and selection criteria.

We welcome applicants with alternative qualifications/experience different to those shown in the next section, who can demonstrate the ability to benefit from the course and show their potential to complete the course successfully.  Although recent preparatory study at an appropriate level (e.g. an Access to HE Diploma) is recommended, students may be considered on the basis of prior evidenced professional/work experience and/or other assessment procedures, and the assessment of personal suitability.

University Admissions office staff will be able to offer information, advice and guidance on this process.

What does the course cover and when do I have to attend?

The course adopts a child-centred approach to Early Years. It provides a framework for academic and professional skills development and learning is embedded within students’ developing knowledge, understanding and experience in practice. The programme, which sits within a culture of inter-agency working, requires students to maintain high standards of care and education. Students are empowered to develop their personal and professional qualities within a framework that supports inclusion and diversity.

The course starts by gradually introducing students to the study skills necessary to succeed at University and to develop as reflective practitioners. It moves on to consider child development, children as learners, the early years curriculum, child protection and other relevant areas of study. It requires self-directed study and the ability to link theory to practice. In the final year students are required to engage in a small-scale enquiry to enhance the quality of children’s learning in the workplace.  Practice learning can be supported within a range of early years settings including children’s centres and childminders. 

The programme is taught over two years full-time and three years part-time. Each academic year consists of two semesters. These run from the end of September until mid-December and from the end of January until May. For part-time students attendance is required for a full day, or for an afternoon and evening each week. Full time students attend for two days each week. There are taught lectures, seminars and workshops as well as set tasks and activities that are to be carried out in the workplace. In each semester attendance at a ‘Saturday conference’ held at the University in Worcester is also required. Students are encouraged to use all of the extensive facilities of the University as well as those in their partner institutions.

Funding

The Government is committed to increasing the number of qualified Early Years practitioners, and ultimately the number of teachers and there is currently a range of Government financial support available to eligible students.

About Foundation Degrees

If you want a course that combines academic theory with practical work experience, a Foundation degree is ideal.

A Foundation degree offers a varied mix of work-related skills and underpinning knowledge and gives you a good preparation for further study or employment. Employers work with us to design the courses, which ensures that they are up to date and relevant in today’s dynamic work environment.

A Foundation degree can be taken either full or part-time and credit can be given for relevant previous experience. You don’t always need formal qualifications to get started.

Course work can be geared to both paid and voluntary work. When you successfully complete your Foundation degree you may wish to progress directly to the third year of a BA/BSc (Hons) degree.

4 GCSEs (including English Language) at Grade C or above plus a minimum of 1 A Level and maximum of 31/2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications.  The current UCAS Tariff requirements for entry to the course are published in the prospectus.

Details of acceptable level 3 qualifications, policy in relation to mature students or applicants with few or no formal qualifications can be found in the prospectus or on the University web pages.  Information on eligibility for accreditation of prior learning for the purposes of entry or advanced standing is also available from the University web pages or from the Registry Admissions Office (01905 855111).

Applicants for the part-time programme route who do not hold the above qualifications will be considered on the basis of prior professional experience and the criteria indicated above.

Part-time students need:

  • evidence of appropriate support from their setting
  • a testimony that supports the students commitment and suitability for the course

All students need

  • current police clearance to work with young children (Enhanced CRB)

Further information or guidance is available from Registry Admissions Office (01905 855111) or from http://www.worc.ac.uk/courses/howtoapply/476.html

Admissions procedures

Full-time applicants apply through UCAS (Code X312)

Part-time applicants* apply directly to University of Worcester (UW)

*Part-time Applicants to North East Worcestershire (NEW) College apply directly to the college

All applicants for the part-time programme route who are working an Early Years setting will be required to provide:

  • a statement of support from their current employer / voluntary placement to provide the time, opportunity and provision of support for work-based requirements and release to attend college, where appropriate, including identification of a Professional Partner within the setting.
  • a testimony/reference from an appropriate professional.

All applicants will be required to provide:

  • evidence of current police clearance to work with young children (Enhanced CRB)

Full-time students will be assisted in finding placements.

Students are required to let the programme know if there are any changes in their employment and are responsible for ensuring they continue to be cleared by the police to work with young children throughout their course of study.

Admissions/selection criteria

Offers of places are usually made on the basis of the application and interview. 

The criteria for selection of applicants are:

  • Literacy skills which will enable them to fulfil the requirements of the course as evidenced by qualifications and/or other appropriate written evidence *
  • Commitment to personal development as evidenced through work experience, previous study, and/or training courses, conferences attended; portfolio of professional achievements, performance assessments, personal interests etc
  • Ability to work at Level 4 and learn from previous experience in  working with children

*Students who do not possess Grade C or above in GCSE English Language will be given the task of producing an extended piece of writing. 

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Students with relevant previous study at HND or degree level or extensive experience may be considered eligible for Accreditation of Prior Learning. 
Entry may be possible to Year Two of the course, depending upon the qualifications or experience gained.  Credit can also be given for individual modules in the part-time programme.

LEVEL 4

Module Code

Module Title

Credits (Number)

Status

Mandatory (M)

or Optional (O)

Prerequisites

(Code of Module required)

ECST 1401

Introduction to Professional and academic reflective practice

15

M

NA

ECST 1402

Childhood, children and learning: theory to practice

15

M

NA

ECST 1403

Developing a professional, practical and responsive play-based curriculum (Practice/ work-based learning)

15

M

NA

ECST 1404

Developing academic reflective practice

15

M

NA

ECST 1405

Safeguarding children in the early years

15

M

NA

ECST 1406

Assessment, observation and planning to support children’s learning (Practice/ work-based learning)

15

M

NA

ECST  1407

Collaborative working with parents and others

15

M

NA

ECST  1408

Developing positive learning environments

15

M

NA

 

Requirements at level 5

  • Students must take the 8 mandatory modules
  • Students must successfully complete 120 credits in total at level 5.


 

LEVEL 5

Module Code

 

Module Title

Credits (Number)

Status

Mandatory (M)

or Optional (O)

Prerequisites

(Code of Module required)

ECST 2401

Exploring strategies for practice/ work-based enquiry (research)

15

M

ECST 1401

ECST 2402

Understanding leading and managing in the early years

15

M

ECST 1401

ECST 2403

Planning and organising the curriculum (Practice/ work-based learning)

15

M

ECST 1401

 

ECST 2404

Planning for practice/ work-based enquiry

15

M

ECST 1401

ECST 2405/6

Reflecting, responding and learning: practice and self (Practice/ work-based learning) (Double Module)

30

M

ECST 1401

ECST 2407/8

Practice/ work-based enquiry: improving quality in early years settings (Double Module)

30

M

ECST 1401

 

 

A variety of assessment methods are used to ensure that you are competent in both the practical and theoretical skills required at this level. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) can be given for those students who have evidence of appropriate academic qualifications/work based experience.
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Early Years Sector Endorsed FdA X312 E, J, Q, V FdA/EY

For the latest information, check the UCAS website at www.ucas.com

 

Career Opportunities

Those graduating from the degree programme may apply to study for an Honours degree in Integrated Early Childhood Studies or other related subjects from which it is possible to apply for a PGCE (Qualified Teacher Status) course (providing you also have mathematics, science and English at GCSE). 

The Foundation degree is also a route to Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) (providing you also have mathematics and English at GCSE). In areas other than education it is a suitable basis for a range of careers in social work, children’s charities, nurseries, day-care, schools and the Health Service.

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Professional Development

Professional Development Leaflet Professional Development Leaflet [PDF]




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Contact Details

To find out more about the course, contact the University of Worcester or one of our partner colleges.

University of Worcester
Admissions Office: 01905 855111
email: admissions@worc.ac.uk
Partnership Administrator
Simone Acton on 01905 855036
email: s.acton@worc.ac.uk

Birmingham Metropolitan College
Dawn Rutherford on 0121 603 4757
email: dawn.rutherford@bmetc.ac.uk
Morag Wigg
email: morag.wigg@bmetc.ac.uk
Administrator - Faye Perryman on 0121 355 5671
email: faye.perryman@bmetc.ac.uk 

Bournville College, Birmingham
Kathryn Beaney on 0121 483 1000
email: kathryn.beaney@bournville.ac.uk

Hereford Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership
Alison Murphy on 01432 260 844
email: amurphy@herefordshire.gov.uk
Michael Reed on 01905 855064
email: m.reed@worc.ac.uk

Ludlow College
Teresa Houghton on 01584 872846
email: thoughton@ludlow-college.ac.uk

NEW College, Bromsgrove
Carole Pannell on 01527 405824
email: cpannell@ne-worcs.ac.uk

Worcester College of Technology
Amanda McCully on 01905 725555
email: amccully@worctech.ac.uk