Early Childhood Education and Care

UCAS code: X310

Here's what Norland says about its Early Childhood Education and Care course.

As an award-winning specialist provider, Norland offers a unique blend of academic degree study alongside practical training and a wealth of hands-on experience that will set you apart from other early years professionals.

Our world-famous training combines a three-year full-time BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Education and Care alongside the prestigious skills-based Norland diploma and a value-added curriculum of specialist training.

You will study the Norland diploma alongside the degree course and for a fourth year following completion of the degree. The diploma will prepare you for all the practical aspects of the care and development of young children as well as critical professional and life skills. In your fourth year, you will undertake your final module of the diploma as a probationary nanny in paid full-time employment for 12 months. There are no tuition fees to pay during this year. Once you have successfully completed both the degree and diploma, you will earn the professional title ‘Norlander’ or ‘Norland Nanny’, as our fully qualified graduates are known.

The national industry-recognised Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC) are integrated throughout the degree and placements. On completion of the degree and placements, you’ll gain Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC) status in your practice skills.

This course provides an unrivalled opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of the early years. Our lecturers have a passion for this subject area and considerable professional and academic experience in both education and working with families. Their teaching draws on many disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, child health, philosophy, social sciences, and education. We also regularly invite guest speakers, so you’ll have the opportunity to hear from experts working in the field.

Each of the three years is divided into three trimesters with your time split between placement and Norland. In total, you will spend 1,265 hours on 8 placements across the three years including a 25-hour new born experience – this amounts to 34 weeks on placement or around 35% of the course. In the third and final year of the degree, you will be required to complete a work-based project on an early years topic of your choice.

The summer trimester of your third year is dedicated to preparing you for your future employment, including first aid training, baby massage, employment contract advice, interview techniques, driving in arduous conditions and security training delivered by former military intelligence officers.

There are several different assessment methods for the degree and diploma courses at Norland. These include essays, presentations, viva, portfolios, displays and a work-based project.

Students are required to wear a uniform whilst studying at Norland and on placement. This instils a sense of responsibility and pride as students represent a long and prestigious history of the highest quality. The Norland Code of Professional Responsibilities contains the professional standards that students, Newly Qualified Nannies and graduates must uphold. The values and principles set out in the Code are not negotiable or discretionary. They underpin the behaviours and competencies expected of all those who are studying at, and have graduated from, Norland.

Fully qualified Norland graduates benefit from 100% guaranteed employability, above average graduate earnings and lifelong careers support through their own dedicated employment agency. The Norland Agency works exclusively with Norlanders to ensure graduates have outstanding employment and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

Please see information on the website www.norland.ac.uk

Various, including coursework, presentations, group work, practical experience, multiple-choice exam paper