FdA Early Years Practice

Summary 2012/13

• A programme for existing or aspiring practitioners, designed to meet your Early Years professional development;
• Content developed in line with the latest Government policy;
• Opportunity to progress to BA (Hons) Early Years Practice or gain Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

This is a programme created for aspiring or existing early years practitioners. Practical, work-based learning will improve both your experience and professional confidence, resulting in invaluable skills to boost your career prospects.

2012 Entry Requirements

A minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from one A level or equivalent Level 3 qualification is normally required. Accreditation of prior learning through relevant NVQ Level 4 or 5 qualifications may be possible. GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at grade C or equivalent are desirable.

If you wish to join the part-time programme, you must be working (on a full-time, part-time or voluntary basis) in an early years setting with children aged 0-5 years.

If you are undertaking the full-time route and therefore early years placements, you will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. You should not seek to obtain this before applying to the course.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you work, or would like to work, with children aged between birth and five years and seek a higher education qualification, then this course is for you. The full-time route is primarily for aspiring practitioners and incorporates early years placements whilst the part-time route is targeted at existing practitioners.

What will I gain from this programme?

You will gain a solid academic grounding that will improve your current knowledge and understanding of being an effective early years practitioner. This will provide opportunities for you to develop further as an early years professional following graduation.

How we will support you

You will be given help and support to successfully complete the programme including a personal tutor who will offer guidance on academic writing and assignment planning and non-academic issues. You will also have telephone, online and email support.

What will I study?

Modules in Year 1 address various professional, academic and vocational issues common to all Early Years workers. As well as gaining a greater understanding of holistic child development in social and cultural contexts, you will be taught specific best practice techniques and principles, and learn how to plan and manage different roles and responsibilities in a modern, multi-professional workplace.

Depending on status and experience, you will progress onto a choice of Year 2 modules to boost your individual development and your personal and professional development as a trained Early Years professional in the workplace. Topics currently available include:

• How to best meet the diverse needs of young children;
• Working with interdisciplinary teams and managing other practitioners;
• An in-depth study of development from birth to three years of age;
• Delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and assessment;
• Building community partnerships.

Supported learning using the internet and Edge Hill University's online resources is a major feature of the programme. No prior IT experience is necessary, as full support will be provided.

How will I study?

If you are joining the full-time programme, intended primarily for aspiring practitioners, then following an initial induction, you will attend face-to-face sessions every Monday and Wednesday morning. Along with face-to-face sessions, you will be asked to complete directed tasks and carry out independent research. You will also be required to attend early years placements every Thursday and Friday. The placements are organised for you by an Edge Hill University Placement Coordinator.

If you are joining the part-time programme, intended primarily for existing practitioners, then following an initial induction, you will attend face-to-face sessions one afternoon per week. Along with face-to-face sessions, you will be asked to complete directed tasks and to carry out independent research.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by a highly experienced team of early years lecturers and associate tutors who have extensive expertise and experience and a passion for early years. All of the team are involved in current research and have actively contributed to projects including the development of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL). Each member of the team brings a particular expertise and all are highly respected practitioners.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework which involves written essays, presentations, self-evaluations and the completion of a small-scale research project.

What are my career prospects?

New and exciting roles are in Children's Centres, Nurseries and pre-schools, including multi-agency work and Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

This foundation degree may also lead you to progress onto the BA (Hons) Early Years Practice or an Early Years Professional Status pathway, subject to eligibility.

Further study at Edge Hill University

BA (Hons) Early Years Practice

Related Programmes

FdA Early Years Leadership

How do I apply?

If you wish to join the full-time programme, you should apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

If you wish to join the part-time programme, apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the application form (pdf) and notes for guidance (pdf).

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

Full-Time Study

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £6,000pa for full-time foundation degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for full-time students in academic year 2012/13, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012.

Part-Time Study

Tuition fees for part-time study on this foundation degree are £6,000pa for academic year 2012/13.

Eligible part-time students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000 a year.

For more information on the financial support available for part-time foundation degree students in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012pt.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Not got the entry requirements?

Students returning to education may present their previous experience in work (paid or unpaid) to support their application.

Students with relevant study through either a professional body, or appropriate academic course, can apply to join the programme at an advanced stage.

If you do not have the GCSEs required for this programme, Edge Hill offers equivalency tests in English and mathematics.

Please note, exemptions may be available for some modules provided the APEL process is satisfactorily completed.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask about this course, please contact:

• Liana Beattie, Programme Leader
• Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 650961
• Email: liana.beattie@edgehill.ac.uk

Or

• Michael Anderson, Programme Administrator
• Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 650811
• Email: michael.anderson@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Year 1

FDE1000 Personal and Professional Development in a Work-based Context is a setting-based module that runs for the whole year and is undertaken in your setting/ workplace. It involves self-review of your knowledge and skills against Early Years Professional standards, target setting and the creation of action plans based on the reflections on your personal professional practice.

FDE1101 Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Whole Child in the Social and Cultural Context provides a foundation for all subsequent modules studied in year 1. It develops your knowledge of the diverse needs of children in different social and cultural contexts and the role of the practitioner in the promotion of children’s learning.

FDE1102 Early Years Principles, Practice, Policy and Vision is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of principles, practice, policy and vision in the context of an early years setting. This module will give you the opportunity to identify the constituent elements of quality early years practice and help you identify how your personal principles impact on your professional practice.

FDE1103 Planning and Managing Effective Provision in Early Years Settings. Practitioners in early years settings are increasingly required to work as members of a team. This module will develop your awareness of the skills necessary for effective teamworking within the early years context. It will also help you to understand the processes involved in planning for and organising an effective early years environment, indoors and outdoors, with play as the underpinning medium for learning.

FDE1104 Meeting the Needs of Settings, Families and Communities focuses upon how early years practitioners meet the needs of settings, families and communities. It includes an investigation into the range of models of family, home and community contexts and the opportunities children have within these contexts for learning and development. There will be a consideration of socio-cultural perspectives to give insight into different societal and cultural views relating to young children within the family and the contexts of home and community.

FDE1105 Roles and Responsibilities in the Changing Multi-professional Workplace allows you to engage in one of the key areas of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children framework, focusing on working together with parents, carers and other professionals to deliver a whole range of Children’s Services in an integrated multi-agency approach. The module provides a background knowledge and understanding of national and local government policies and practice in this area in the current context.

Year 2

FDE2000 Reflective Tasks on Work-based Learning builds on the previous work/ setting-based practice module (FDE1000) in year 1. It will provide opportunities for you to reflect on your own practice and to participate in a small-scale research project based on an issue or an initiative within the early years context.

FDE2101 Working with Children to Enhance the Quality of Provision to Meet Specific Needs furthers your understanding of the ways in which you can develop your practice to ensure quality provision in your setting. You will consider the principles underpinning quality management and practice and look at developing effective strategies for monitoring and evaluating your work with children, families and the community.

FDP2102 The Current Context: Birth to Three Matters ensures you gain an understanding of children’s learning and development from birth to three years old. The module will develop your understanding of the holistic nature of development and learning in the young child together with the role of practitioners within the process of providing high quality care and education for children aged 0-3.

FDP2103 Building Community Partnerships enables you to engage in critical discussions of the current National Frameworks and local plans within communities with a focus on a range of partnership initiatives. The module will introduce you to methods of critiquing both policy and practice through the analysis of a range of case studies that are related to building community partnerships set within the current and developing early years context.

FDP2104 The Current Context: The Foundation Stage requires you to critically evaluate key aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage, focusing on theoretical and practical approaches to planning, provision for learning and assessment for 3-5 year olds. The module theory is based on the premise that a holistic, play-based, first-hand experiential curriculum is appropriate to promote children’s learning in the early years and that the need to plan and manage this provision effectively is essential. Issues of transitions within the context of the Early Years Foundation Stage (0-5 years) will be critically examined.

FDP2105 Working in Multi-disciplinary Teams develops your knowledge and understanding of the theoretical models of leadership and management of multi-agency teams/groups and their relationship and relevance to Early Years Settings. The module will focus on the application of basic ‘team’ theory to Early Years Settings, allowing you to consider your current practice.