Bath Spa University

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Early Years (Foundation Degree)

This Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree is a crucial part of a national government initiative to improve the career pathway for practitioners working in the early years sector.

For more information about this course please visit the School of Education website.

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This course has been developed in collaboration with Local Authorities and Further Education Colleges. This means that it satisfies the sector's requirements for professional/practical knowledge and understanding.

Course Structure and Content

This two year course covers all the areas of care and development of children.

Only those in permanent employment are eligible to apply as the work placement provides students with the opportunity for the work based modules.

It is taught for one day per week (or two half-days) and allows you to continue in employment. You will be required to assign yourself a mentor to support your work-based learning and development.

You will be a Bath Spa University student, but the course is taught in each of our partner colleges: City of Bath College, City of Bristol College, New College Swindon and Weston College. You can attend at the centre which is most convenient for you.

Year 1

• How Children Learn;
• Making Learning Visible;
• The Early Years Curriculum;
• Inclusion;
• The Reflective Practitioner 1: The Learning Environment (work-based);
• The Reflective Practitioner 2: Inclusion in Practice (work-based).

Year 2

• Working with the Family and Carers;
• Protecting Children;
• Managing and Working with Professionals;
• Birth to Three OR;
• Foundation Stage;
• The Reflective Practitioner 3: Partnerships and Community Liaison (work-based);
• The Reflective Practitioner 4: Action Research (work-based).

In your second year, you will be able to apply to the third year of the BA (Hons) Education at Bath Spa. The BA (Hons) degree allows you to apply to progress onto our teacher training degree course to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Alternatively, you may want to apply to pursue the new Early Years Professional Status which is also run at Bath Spa.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways as follows:

• Written essays (some may be in timed 'test' conditions)
• Critical reading/literature reviews
• Seminar presentations
• Seminar reports and journals
• Investigative reports
• Practice in the workplace
• Workplace portfolio

Practical assessment in the workplace will be done on a pass/ fail, rather than percentage basis. There are no examinations.

Note

The Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years is only open to those with at least two years' experience of working in an early years setting and who have a relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent.

Entry Requirements

Appropriate Level 3 qualification (for example A-levels or vocational qualifications) in Early Years, Childcare or Playwork (or equivalent) PLUS,

At least two years' experience of working (and currently working) in the sector.

Candidates will be assessed on an individual basis.

Please be aware that you will be required to complete a new Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure application through Bath Spa University as part of the admissions process for this course.