Early Years Sector-Endorsed FdA

If you are working with children in an Early Years setting, this qualification will not only add to your knowledge and understanding, it will also enable you to progress to Honours level study.

The course adopts a child-centred approach to Early Years and a holistic view of the child. It provides a framework for academic and professional skills development. Your learning is embedded within your developing knowledge, understanding and experience in practice. The programme, which sits within a culture of inter-agency and multi-professional team working, seeks to develop you as a reflective practitioner capable of making a positive impact upon the children, families and communities with whom you work. A range of learning, teaching and assessment methods are used to support your professional and academic development through the course, with a strong emphasis upon e-learning.

The course interweaves the three strands of personal and professional development, theory and practice, and practice/work-based enquiry, underpinned by the study skills necessary to succeed at University. This interconnected approach is reflected in a range of assignments that depend upon self-study, encouraging the consideration of a variety of perspectives and the development of critical skills in relation to theory applied to practice. Individual modules address childhood and the child as learner, curriculum planning, collaboration with parents, positive learning environments, and safeguarding children. In the final year students are required to engage in a small-scale enquiry focused upon enhancing quality within your own workplace.

The course 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.

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

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

The University of Worcester also delivers the programme part-time in partnership with Herefordshire LA Early Years Childcare Service.

Where can I find out about funding?

Factfile
Entry requirements
Course content
Student views
Get in touch

UCAS code

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 X312 E, J, Q, V FdA/EY

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

Study options

Full-time and part-time routes

A 2 year full-time route with placements is available for applicants who are not employed in an early years setting. A 3 year part-time route is available for applicants already employed or working in a voluntary capacity within the early years sector.

Location of Study

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

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

The University of Worcester also delivers the programme part-time in partnership with Herefordshire LA Early Years Childcare Service.

The following are required for both the standard and non-standard entry:

A statement of support from your current employer to provide the time, opportunity and support for work-based requirements and release to attend university-based study
A testimony from an appropriately qualified referee
Evidence of current police check clearance to work with young children
Practice learning can be supported within a range of early years settings, including children’s centres and childminders

Get in touch

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

Simone Acton
Partnership Administrator
01905 855036
s.acton@worc.ac.uk

Please see the Get in touch tab for contact details of partner institutions.

140 UCAS tariff points and a minimum of 4 GCSEs (including English Language) at Grade C or above

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.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) can be given for those students who have evidence of appropriate academic qualifications or work-based experience.

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)

Modules

Introduction to Professional and academic reflective practice
Childhood, children and learning: theory to practice
Developing a professional, practical and responsive play-based curriculum (Practice/ work-based learning)
Developing academic reflective practice
Safeguarding children in the early years
Assessment, observation and planning to support children’s learning (Practice/ work-based learning)
Collaborative working with parents and others
Developing positive learning environments

A range of modules relevant to early years practitioners embrace current initiatives for workforce development. Sector endorsement demonstrates that the content of the course has been developed following established guiding principles and the shaping of good practice.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods both practical and theoretical.

There are no formal examinations: assessment is made by submission of assignments that link directly to practice and lead to improving quality for children and families.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) can be given for those students who have evidence of appropriate academic qualifications or work based experience.

Early Years Sector-Endorsed FdA student

and Nursery Supervisor/Acting Manager of a nursery located within a children's centre

“The FdA in Early Years has inspired and motivated me to learn both personally and professionally. I now have more confidence with my academic work and in my practice. All of the tutors are very supportive and you are also supported by other students on the course; you never feel that you are on your own.”

Academic department

Institute of Education

“Our high quality programmes and innovative teaching methods prepare and train the very best professionals. Worcester graduates have made a huge difference in the field of education.”
Professor Chris Robertson, Head of Institute

Employability

Those graduating from the degree programme may apply to study for an Honours degree in Integrated Working with Children & Families BA (Hons) Top-up degree or other related subjects from which it is possible to apply for a PGCE (Qualified Teacher Status) course and Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), providing you also have English, Mathematics and Science at GCSE Grade C or above (for PGCE); EYPS requires English and Mathematics GCSE at Grade C or above. It is also a suitable basis for a range of careers in social work, children’s charities, nurseries, day-care, schools and the Health Service.

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
admissions@worc.ac.uk

Simone Acton
Partnership Administrator
01905 855036
s.acton@worc.ac.uk

Birmingham Metropolitan College
Dawn Rutherford
0121 603 4757
dawn.rutherford@bmetc.ac.uk

Morag Wigg
morag.wigg@bmetc.ac.uk

Faye Perryman
Administrator
0121 355 5671
faye.perryman@bmetc.ac.uk

Bournville College, Birmingham

Kathryn Beaney
0121 483 1000
kathryn.beaney@bournville.ac.uk

Hereford Early Years & Extended Services
Alison Murphy
01432 260 844
amurphy@herefordshire.gov.uk

Michael Reed
01905 855064
m.reed@worc.ac.uk

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

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