BA (Hons) Working and Teaching in the Early Years course preparation
To help you feel prepared for your university studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Open the links below to find out more:
Your Launchpad sessions
The Faculty of Education have organised a number of virtual Launchpad sessions. Although not all of these sessions will be relevant to your specific degree, you may find a number of these sessions useful.
Suggested reading
You’ll be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.
However, you might like to undertake some independent study of some of the key texts on the course.
Essential Reading
- Early Childhood Studies: Principles and Practice, by Jane Johnston, Lindy Nahmad-Williams, Ruby Oates, Val Wood. 2018. London, Routledge
Suggested Reading
We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive but if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library or access online, we suggest the following:
- Early Education (2021) Birth to five matters Non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. London: Early Education.
- Henry-Allain, L. & Lloyd-Rose, M. (2021) The tiney guide to becoming an inclusive, anti-racist early educator. London: Tiney.
Useful websites
Keeping up to date with the latest developments in the Education world is a great way to prepare for your course. Here are some websites that you will be useful, you should also try and find some good websites of your own:
- Edge Hill Early Years Blog
- The Times Educational Supplement
- Ofsted website – click on Ofsted publications to read reports online
- Department for Education portal for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- The communication trust – a guide for developing communication skills and the role of a practitioner
- Department for Education
- Creativity in the Early Years
- Opinions from an active practitioner
- Opinions from an outdoor play specialist
- The Guardian Society
- Children and Young People now
Things to do over summer
In order for you to start your journey into becoming a professional, reflective Early Years Practitioner, we have created an activity that we feel will help you to make a positive start to the programme and we would like you to complete it before starting your programme.
Please keep reflection in a portfolio of pre-course work and bring it with you to Induction week. We will start using it in your first sessions, where they will be opportunities for discussion with your peers and personal tutor.
Meet your programme lead
Additional ways to prepare
Preparing to start
This session examines how to make a successful transition to university. From planning your results day, accommodation and commuting tips, extra support available to you and general advice on uni life.
Watch the session
Find out more about who you are
The following information provides an insight into what to expect when coming to university along with some good advice on how to navigate some of the potential challenges you may face.
Start preparing yourself