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Key details

Course area
Early Years and Education
Student type
University Level
Course type
Part-time University Level course
Course level
Level 5

Course introduction

This course is designed for people working in the early years’ sector and wish to progress to work as a senior practitioner or on to an early years’ teacher training course.

It is a flexible, work-based programme, designed to allow you to continue to work whilst studying and has been developed in association with local employers and professional bodies. This sector-endorsed course is ideal to progress your career if you’re currently a childminder, teaching assistant in the foundation stage, nursery nurse, nursery manager or learning support assistant.

During the course, you’ll need to work for at least ten hours per week in an early years’ post.

A statement of support and commitment from your employer/ mentor stating that they will be able to meet the full range of roles and responsibilities in the workplace will be needed.

Modules may include:

  • Study skills and current initiatives
  • Personal development and professional practice
  • Play, children’s early learning and the curriculum
  • Anti-discriminatory practice
  • Observation and assessment
  • Child development and well-being
  • Safeguarding children
  • Meeting individual needs
  • Managing behaviour
  • Working with parents and carers to support children
  • The curriculum in action
  • Managing your professional role

The course will build on your existing knowledge of children’s development and learning, as well as developing your understanding of current policies and practice in early years’ settings. You’ll also acquire professional and practical skills such as planning, assessment and teamwork.

Timetable (subject to change)

The current timetable is as follows but this is subject to change:

  • Tuesday 16:00 – 20:30
  • Plus self directed study

Please note: Some classes may be delivered online.

Nottingham College is proud to have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Bronze Award for high quality student experience and outcomes. You can read more about this on the Office for Students website.

You can view the course specification here.

Course information

3 years

Foundation Degree in Early Years Studies FdA

You will need a minimum of 48 UCAS points from:

  • At least two A Levels at A2
  • BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Access to HE Diploma

A level 3 qualification in Early Years, Childcare and Education or Supporting Teaching and Learning is most desirable.

Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

We would expect students to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy.

You’ll be invited to an interview and asked for suitable references.

Mature applicants with relevant professional experience and/or qualifications are welcome to apply.

Your work will be assessed on a continuous basis through reports, presentations and essays.

You could continue your studies to obtain a full degree, and then, if you wish, progress to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

This course is awarded by Nottingham Trent University.

Nottingham Trent University logo

About the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

The TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

View our TEF assessment (opens in a new window/tab) Learn more about the TEF (opens in a new window/tab)

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Child and Early Years Officers

Potential Earnings

£35,836.89

Average Earnings

£25,496.53

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Health, Social and Child Care Services

People in these occupations provide care and support services for children, healthcare patients, and the elderly, and administrate social programmes.

Education Assessment and Support Services

People in these occupations administrate activities in educational institutions, assess and inspect quality, plan classes and curriculum, and advise students.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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