BA (Hons) Working and Teaching in the Early Years course preparation
To help you feel prepared for your BA (Hons) Working and Teaching in the Early Years studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Read on to find out more:
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.
In the meantime, there are a couple of books you might like to read before starting your degree if you can. 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:
Essential reading
- Musgrave, J., 2022. Health and wellbeing for babies and children: Contemporary issues. Routledge.
Suggested reading
- Early Education (2021) Birth to five matters Non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. London: Early Education.
- Thomas, A., 2022. Representation Matters: Becoming an anti-racist educator. Bloomsbury Publishing.
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
- 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
A short task to complete this 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. If possible, 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 for your first week. We will start using it in your first sessions, where they will be opportunities for discussion with your peers and personal tutor.