Government Endorsement for Foundation Degree

Edge Hill University is one of the first to receive an official endorsement from the government body set up to monitor the children's workforce.

The University's Foundation Degree in Early Years Leadership, Education and Practice has officially received sector endorsement from the Children?s Workforce Development Council having undergone a rigorous scrutiny process to ensure that it meets the standards set out by the government.

Endorsement of the Foundation Degree also means that eligible students can claim a £600 bursary to support them in their studies.

Angela Milner is Senior Associate Dean at Edge Hill's Faculty of Education: "Many of the people who are studying the Early Years Foundation Degree are working in children's centres or nurseries and studying on a part-time basis - so this bursary will be a really good incentive for students to take up the qualification and to help them complete their studies."

Those who started the Early Years Foundation Degree pathways in September 2006 will qualify for the bursary as will new students who start their studies at Easter. The Early Years Foundation Degree is aimed at those currently working or aspiring to work with children from birth to five. The qualification can be a way for people to progress to qualified teacher status or Early Years Professional Status and is part of the government drive to ensure that more professionals are employed in the sector.

Nicola Norton, who is a childcare manager at a children?s centre nursery in Blackburn, started the Foundation Degree in September. Despite the fact that it is 20 years since she studied, Nicola has settled on to the course and is reaping the benefits at work:

"We have already covered new legislation that is to be introduced in child care settings and the work based tasks are very relevant to my job. The course has also helped in terms of developing staff management skills."

Nicola's ambition is to become a qualified early years teacher by taking the honours degree after completing the Foundation Degree.

Angela Milner added: "We still have places available on the next course which starts the week beginning 16th April at Ormskirk or Chorley* on Mondays and Shrewsbury on Wednesdays."

For more information about the Early Years Foundation Degree contact the Enquiries Unit on freephone 0800 195 5063.