Early Childhood Studies (top-up)

Part-time only - one day attendance per week or two years to complete course.

The aim of the course is to provide a broad-based academic and multidisciplinary professional foundation for a variety of careers working with children 0-eight years old. It aims to meet the needs of those students who are in the workplace and may be working towards external professional standards, as well as those who wish to study full-time. The course is taught by a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team with expertise in the fields of education, health and social care. There are opportunities to undertake placements and field work in educational settings to enable strong links between academic study and professional experience of the workplace.

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies top-up degree is designed to:

• Establish a rigorous understanding of young children's holistic development in the early years through engaging in detailed analysis and evaluation of multi-disciplinary theoretical perspectives and research evidence
• Develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of contemporary services and support for young children and families in a multi-agency context
• Extend and refine students' critical reflection on their own practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage and their leadership and support of others.
• Support students in making progress towards the achievement of relevant professional standards and roles, for example in relation to Early Years Professional Status or as preparation for further training in teaching or social work.

Stage one

Students develop their knowledge and understanding of early childhood within diverse cultural, multidisciplinary and inter-agency contexts. They explore leadership and management issues in early years contexts. They also take a specialist health, education or social care pathway module as a focus for developing their critical analysis of contemporary issues and debates in early childhood policy, practice and services for children and families.

Stage two

The Research and Inquiry module helps students develop their critical understanding of relevant theory and research in the field of early childhood and to equip them with the skills for independent investigation and research for their dissertation.

Part-time students undertake stage one in year one and stage two in year two. Full-time students undertake both stages in one year.

• Option to study on a full or part-time basis
• Option to exit after one year with an ordinary degree
• Multi-disciplinary approach
• Opportunities for placement experience

• Education/Health/Social Care/Health and Social Care Options
• Leadership and Management in Children's Services
• Research and Inquiry in Professional Contexts
• Dissertation

Written essays and assignments. Online debate and discussion. Individual projects and dissertation.

Career paths may include those in education, health and social care. In particular this course is closely linked with the Early Years Professional Status courses. Following further training, this qualification may lead to a career as an early years teacher, social worker or in advisory and management roles in early years settings.