Early Years Care and Education
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: X310 | Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA
Entry requirements
GCSE/National 4/National 5
2 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English and Mathematics/2 GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include English and Mathematics.
T Level
Pass (D or E in the core) - Merit Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Education and Childcare
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About this course
**Overview**
If you currently work with young children in an educational setting, have a level 3 qualification (such as a relevant Early Years NVQ), and you're looking to develop your career to university-level, this Foundation degree (FdA) in Early Years Care and Education will give you the professional recognition you need.
You’ll work with early years professionals to gain skills and knowledge that’ll serve you in helping young children realise their potential through fun, excitement and play.
You’ll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.
After the course, you'll be ready to take the next step in your career as an early years professional. You could also go on to do a Bachelor's degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies or use your Foundation degree to do training that leads to Qualified Teacher Status such as Early Years Teacher Training.
- Build your expertise as an early years professional by exploring theories and contemporary issues within education, such as curriculum planning, safeguarding and cognitive and language development
- Learn in supportive study groups, alongside other early years professionals from different backgrounds, and discover practical ways to put your new knowledge and skills to work
- Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies
- Study full-time at Isle of Wight College
- Have the option to begin the course in year 2 if you already have sufficient experience or qualifications (assessed on an individual basis)
**Endorsed by:**
The Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education has been validated by SEFDEY (Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years Professional Association) as meeting the criteria for Sector-Endorsement.
**Careers and opportunities**
This Early Years Care and Education Foundation degree (FdA) will enable you to progress in your existing career as an early years practitioner, opening up opportunities across the education sector that help shape children's younger formative years or to go on to further study, such as teacher training.
**What can you do with an early years care and education foundation degree?**
Once you graduate, you'll be ready to take on roles in areas such as:
- teaching assistance
- learning support assistance
- nursery management
- childcare development
You could also progress to a relevant Bachelor's top-up degree, such as BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up). Following this top-up course, you could go on to do teacher training through PGCE, SCITT or Early Years Initial Teacher Training programmes.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules in this year include:
- Curriculum Planning and Legislation
- Inclusive Practice in the Early Years
- Practice and Pedagogy
- Safeguarding Children
- Working with Families
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 2
Core modules in this year include:
- Cognitive and Language Development
- ICT - Early Years and Development
- Practitioner Based Enquiry 1
- Practitioner Based Enquiry 2
- Social and Emotional Development
- Use of Information in Decision Making
There are no optional modules in this year.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed through: case studies reflective reports essays presentations group work You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Isle of Wight College
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
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