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Children's Learning and Development

DN Colleges Group

UCAS Code: X2C2 | Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Entry requirements


Applicants will come from a variety of different professional backgrounds which may include childminders; early years practitioners; support assistants working in either a mainstream or special school and teaching assistants working in the early years sector. This might be in a full time or voluntary capacity. Importantly applicants will have at least 2 years full time equivalent experience working in the sector prior to starting the course and will hold a Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in a work-related area and are additionally required to hold a current DBS Enhanced Certificate. Applicants are required to either be in paid employment or undertaking a voluntary placement for a minimum of 2 days per week. This will underpin practitioners’ experiences in the workplace through studying a variety of modules that will enhance and support career progression. Grade 4/C in GCSE English and mathematics is desirable but not essential. If you do not have these qualifications, you will still be accepted onto the programme but would need to realise that future employment might require this. We are committed to creating educational opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds and situations. If you have been out of formal education for some time, and/or you do not have the qualifications stated, we might still be able to consider your application and offer you a range of support. We are here to help. Please get in touch to find out more.

About this course


Course option

2years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Early childhood studies

Foundation Degree students are integral to the on-going development of the early years’ workforce, nationally, regionally, and locally. Students will actively engage in research and enquiry, gaining a critical understanding of the processes within the development of services, enabling them to gain insight and understanding relating to how babies, toddlers and young children develop and how this can be supported. The programme will support students to develop intellectual and sector skills, and importantly link theory to practice.

A central aspect of the programme is that students will gain the opportunity to examine various ways in which children and childhood may be understood and conceptualised through their understanding of the philosophies, beliefs, and attitudes that champion children’s rights. They will also consider the challenges and intricacies of multi-agency and multi-professional practices and reflect on this within their own professional context.

Graduates of the Foundation Degree Children’s Learning and Development are advocates for babies, toddlers and young children and champion their rights.

The Foundation Degree enables students to build on experience as an early year’s practitioner and develop new strategies for supporting children and working alongside colleagues and parents. Career progression is varied and may include:

Senior/Lead Nursery Practitioner;
Pre-School Leader;
Play Leader ;
Room Leader/Section Leader;
Deputy Manager;
Setting Manager;

Upon completion of the Foundation Degree in Children’s Learning and Development, there is also the opportunity to progress to the Early Childhood Studies top up programme and gain a Batchelor of Arts (BA Hons) in one year. This will give opportunities for further professional development, for example, going onto Teacher Training programmes, Local Authority based work (such as family liaison officers) and other related professions.

Modules

Level 4 Modules:

Children’s Rights and Participation (20 credits)
Theories of Child Development (20 credits)
Safeguarding (20 credits)
Playful Pedagogies (20 credits)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (20 credits)
Critical Creative Thinkers (20 credits)

Level 5 Modules:
SEND (20 credits)
Contemporary Approaches to Leadership (20 credits)
Collaborative Approaches to Working (20 credits)
Emergent Literacy (20 credits)
Maths in Early Years (20 credits)
Research (20 credits)

The programme will require approximately 12 hours a week of private study to access materials and engage in wider reading and research.

Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.

Assessment methods

A range of assessment methods underpin the development of student transferable skills and make a positive contribution to the students’ learning experience. Assessment is both formative and summative. The diverse assessment strategies meet the varied needs of students and include:

Academic Essays;
Presentations;
eBooks;
Reports linked to practice;
Posters/leaflets;

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£7,940
per year
Northern Ireland
£7,940
per year
Scotland
£7,940
per year
Wales
£7,940
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University Campus Doncaster

Department:

Education and The Arts

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