About the course

If you work with young children in settings such as pre-school, child-minding, day nursery or children’s centre, this course is designed to fit around your work commitments. It combines academic study with your work experience, preparing you for the top-up degree as well as a rewarding career in early years.

This course offers you a strong foundation in early years education from a variety of professional perspectives as well as developing your understanding of child development and the developing child within the family and society, in both local and global contexts. It also provides opportunities for you to develop your own academic and professional interests, linking the theory you learn to your current work practice.

Areas you may study include developing English and mathematics; developing learning; early years curriculum studies; inclusive practice and education; professional practice; teaching practice; and the importance of play.

Why choose this course?

• Learn full-time or part-time, to suit your work commitments
• Develop your skills in teaching and learning support
• Study different approaches to teaching and learning
• Deepen your own understanding of your work and working environment
• Be able to reflect on your work-based practice and how you can support young children’s early learning and development
• Benefit from direct entry to our Applied Early Years Studies (top up) BA (Hons) at the end of your study, after which you can train as a primary or early years teacher in the UK, if you choose

This course is also offered at our Milton Keynes campus, Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College of Further Educatio

I joined the University of Bedfordshire following 20 years working within the Early Years and Education sector.

I started my career working in a residential school for children with profound and multiple educational and health care needs.

My experience within Early Years and education spans a wide range of provision to include Nursery manager, Child minder, classroom assistant and lecturer.

I have extensive experience within the classroom and have worked in both HE and FE, delivering Early Years study programmes.