BA (Hons) top-up Early Childhood Studies

This programme builds on and consolidates existing knowledge, understanding and skills of working with children, strengthening the links between theory and practice. The aim is to facilitate professional development and career choices encouraging intellectual capabilities, reflection and analytical skills specifically related to the pedagogy of childhood.

Aims

This programme builds on and consolidates existing knowledge, understanding and skills of working with children, strengthening the links between theory and practice. The programme will explore existing and contemporary issues in childhood during the years from 0-8. The aim is to facilitate professional development and career choices encouraging intellectual capabilities, reflection and analytical skills specifically related to the pedagogy of childhood.

Academic contribution will enable students to become confident, well-educated and reflective early years/education practitioners with the skills to respond to developments in the field of early childhood studies;

• Enable the development of critical reasoning and analytical skills in relation to the context of early childhood to equip students with research skills, knowledge and understanding of how theory relating to children influences and informs current early years / education provision.
• Promote students to demonstrate the intellectual and study skills for the collection, interpretation, understanding, presentation and critical analysis of theory, policy and practice issues concerning early childhoo.
• Encourage students to incorporate theoretical principles and knowledge of leadership, working with other professionals; working with families to meet needs of young children.
• Enable students to assimilate skills and aptitudes that constitute a platform from which they may successfully enter post-graduate study in related areas.

Modules

• The Pedagogy of Play in Early Years
• Leading Learning in Early Years
• Early Years Policy and Practice
• Contemporary Project in Early Years
• Contemporary Issues in Research with Young Children.

Teaching & assessment

You will be supported in your preparation for assessments by your module tutor and where relevant other academic staff within the course team. You will have access to additional academic support particular to assessment tasks from an independent HE academic support tutor. Teaching will include enhancing specific interpersonal skills and attributes when working towards module learning outcomes with a focus on experience in the early years sector; engaging in reflective activities to support and enhance continued learning; independent learning and research (directed). The course runs over 32 weeks and has four 20 credit modules and one 40 credit module. The 40 credit module includes an empirical study and other modular assessment is via academic critical essays, presentations and group work.

Interview Instructions

All applicants must have evidence of original certificates and practice evidence are reviewed during the admissions process. Entrants must have an appropriate level of verbal communication skills during the interview process. Entrants must demonstrate appropriate level of reading comprehension and academic writing during the written component of the interview process.

Entry Criteria

• Hold a Level 5 qualification (FdA/HND) in an Early Years related discipline – or the international equivalent of 120 ECTS Credits.
• External applicants must be interviewed (international applicants via internet/email respectively). Hold Level 2 or equivalent in English Language (or a minimum IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5 in all components; speaking, listening, reading and writing required for international applicants, additionally a formative written piece of work may be requested during the application process).
• Hold Level 2 or equivalent in Maths.
• Hold a Clear Enhanced DBS.
• Provide evidence of appropriate current early years/education employment and/or volunteering experience within the sector. This must be verified by the organisation manager or head teacher.

Non-standard entry criteria:

• Evidence of recent and extensive early years experience.
• All applicants with non-standard criteria must be interviewed.
• Level 2 or equivalent in English Language (or a minimum IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5 in all components; speaking, listening, reading and writing required for international applicants, additionally a formative written piece of work may be requested during the application process).
• Level 2 or equivalent in Maths.
• Clear Enhanced DBS.
• Evidence of appropriate current early years/education employment and/or volunteering experience within the sector.

To gain entry to the programme a student must satisfy the standard entry requirements to the course. Given the wide experience of potential applicants to this course, applications for recognition of prior learning (RPL) and accreditation of experiential learning (APEL) are welcomed in accordance with New College Durham academic regulations.