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.

Why study Early Years (Foundation Degree)?

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 knowledge and understanding.
• Enables you to develop your professional practice and provides a route for you to gain Early Years Professional Status.
• Can provides a route into teaching with a third year 'top-up' to honours degree level (BA (Hons) Early Years Education) and a one year PGCE course.

Course structure

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

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 your local college.

Modules

Year 1

• The Child and Childhoods
• Making Learning Visible
• The Reflective Practitioner - The Environment
• The Reflective Practitioner - Celebrating Diversity

Year 2

• Holistic Development and Learning
• The Reflective Practitioner - Research in an early years setting
• Working Together

In your second year, you will be able to apply to the third year of the BA (Hons) Education Studies at Bath Spa University. The BA (Hons) degree allows you to apply to progress to our PGCE programme to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In the event of insufficient places being available to accommodate all Foundation Degree students who wish to progress, there will be a selection process based on achievement during the Foundation Degree, supplemented by interview as appropriate, and will be subject to satisfactory academic references. 

Course assessment

Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways:

• Critical reading/literature reviews
• Seminar presentations
• Seminar reports and journals
• Investigative reports
• Practice in the workplace
• Workplace portfolio
• Written essays 
• Practical assessment in the workplace

This course is taught by highly qualified and experienced staff both in partner colleges. 

Teaching takes place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials and electronic resources. Open access computer facilities are available. The University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Minerva) provides remote access to a wide range of resources. 

Teaching methods

Learning and teaching on the Foundation Degree in Early Years takes place through a combination of the following methods:

• Lectures
• Group work – seminars and discussions
• Tutorials
• Visits to educational workplaces
• Specialist presenters and lecturers
• Professional reflection
• Professional discussions with your mentor in the workplace

Course enquiries

All enquiries should be forwarded to admissions@bathspa.ac.uk

Entry requirements

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

At least two years experience of working (and currently working) in the sector. This will be assessed on an individual basis.

Completion of a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Application through Bath Spa University.

Career opportunities

Potential career pathways for you on completion of the Foundation degree are:

• progression to Honours degree;
• teacher education;
• social work training;
• work in child protection;
• work in integrated centres;
• community liaison work;
• management of early years centres.

What students say...

'Undertaking the Early Years Foundation Degree has enabled me develop both personally and professionally in my role as Nursery Nurse. The course tutors provide plenty of support and encouragement, whilst helping me to learn the necessary academic skills required each year. I have learned to critically reflect upon my practice with children and as a team player, alongside broadening my practical skills and enthusiasm for quality childcare and education. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would positively recommend it to anyone interested becoming a more reflective and knowledgeable practitioner or leader. '