About the course

If your dream is to work with young children, this in-depth course gives you the understanding of early years education you need, fully preparing you for a wide range of careers or the move on to teacher training.

Our Early Childhood Education BA (Hons) equips you with an inter-disciplinary knowledge of how children develop in learning and thinking in their early years (0-8 years). It explores child development; early years curricula; inclusion, special educational needs and disability; and early literacy and numeracy. It also covers leadership and management in the early years and the role of adults in a child’s education and care.

Across the three years, you undertake 80 days of placement in a range of different early childhood settings to embed your learning and increase your employability when you graduate. As the course progresses, you will be encouraged to explore your individual interests through guided study and independent research.

The course gives you a DfE-recognised qualification to practice.

Why choose this course?

• It has an overall student satisfaction rating of 100% (NSS 2022)
• Learn about the latest innovative practices in early childhood education and care, supported by an experienced academic team, actively involved in research in their fields
• Gain experience through a series of placements and a strong focus on employability
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year’s placement in industry (see below), gaining experience and making contacts for the future
• Learn the academic skills you need to analyse research, policy and practice in the field as well as a critical understanding of national and international perspectives
• If you need a step up into learning in higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees you entry to the undergraduate course

“I really enjoyed my learning on this course. It has certainly helped me develop my confidence and expanded my knowledge about early years education. The staff are fantastic, always there to help especially my personal tutor and dissertation supervisor.” Sarah, course graduate

I gained Qualified Teacher Status in 1987 and have worked in a number of educational settings since then. I have taught across the whole primary age range.

My main focus, however, has been working with children in the Foundation Stage (0 – 5) in schools, day nurseries and Children's Centres in both a hands-on practitioner and an advisory capacity and in a range of different local authorities in England.

Units

• Developing Practice In Early Childhood Settings (EDC067-1) Compulsory
• Early Child Development (EDC055-1) Compulsory
• Early Years Curriculum Studies (EDC056-1) Compulsory
• Key Concepts In Education (EDC064-1) Compulsory
• Narratives Of Childhood (EDC048-1) Compulsory
• Early Representations Of Numeracy And Literacy (EDC028-2) Compulsory
• Inclusive Education In The Early Years (EDC072-2) Compulsory
• Inclusive Practice In Early Childhood Settings (EDC084-2) Compulsory
• Investigating The Social World (EDC021-2) Compulsory
• Developing Teaching Practice (EDC063-2) Optional
• Introduction To Educational Philosophy (EDC086-2) Optional
• The Lifelong Curriculum (EDC067-2) Optional
• Dissertation (EDC207-3) Compulsory
• International Perspectives On Early Childhood Education (EDC216-3) Compulsory
• Professionalism, Leadership And Management In The Early Years (EDC162-3) Compulsory
• Reflecting On Quality In Early Childhood Settings (EDC241-3) Compulsory
• Children And Young PeopleS Wellbeing (EDC204-3) Optional
• Representations Of Disability (EDC209-3) Optional