This course will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills needed to support your continued development in the Childhood Sector. It is suitable for those working with children under 11yrs and their families, including in Early Years, Primary School, or Family Support provision to further develop skills to Level 5. The full-time route is taught over one day per week and takes two years to complete. The programme is also available as part time; please contact the Yeovil College University Centre on [email protected].

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team lecturers both have industry experience alongside guest speakers providing an added layer of expertise.

If you already hold 240 CATS points at Level 5 (eg. FdA, HND) in an associated subject, or equivalent, please apply for the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies Care and Education programme which is one year full time, or two years part time.

Level 4 (Year 1 for full-time students) develops skills to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of well-established theories, concepts and historical origins of theory. Students will develop understanding in taking responsibility for personal and professional development using reflection and feedback to analyse their own capabilities and be able to implement actions of improvement.

Level 5 (year 2 for full-time students) begins the process of being able to work appropriately with a variety of interdisciplinary groups and teams, showing a critical insight in leadership and management skills. Further, students will be able to consistently employ appropriate pedagogical and andragogical approaches to achieve the best outcomes when working with children, professionals, colleagues, parents and carers.

The course operates on a fixed modular basis, most modules count for 15 academic credits although some are double weighted and count for 30 credits. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study, and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 240 credits for the Foundation Degree (FdA) as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5; these are Pass, Merit and Distinction awards. The full-time and part-time course has one start point in September and each year finishes in June.

**Work Experience and Placement**
A current role within an Early Years, Education or Family Support setting of 15 hours per week is strongly recommended

**After the Course**
This programme alone does not provide Licence to Practice in Early Years Settings and would need either a suitable Level 3 qualification or to progress to the BA (Hons) and on to Early Years Initial Teacher Training to enable full counting into ratio. On successful completion of the course you will obtain a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Childhood Studies, Care and Education awarded by the University of Gloucestershire. You will also be able to progress onto the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies, Care and Education Level 6 top up programme.