Study

Foundation Degree in Early Years (Part Time)
240 credits (120 at Level 4, and 120 at Level 5)

Year 1 – 90 credits
Year 2 – 90 credits
Year 3 – 60 credits

This programme is validated and quality assured by the University of Worcester and delivered at Halesowen College as a partner of the University.

For any queries regarding this course please contact:
Liam Pinches
Email: lpinches@halesowen.ac.uk
Tel: 0121 602 7777 ext. 7867

Whittingham Campus

The FdA in Early Years (0-8) aims to provide a child-centred approach and framework for academic and professional skills development. This course takes a holistic, child centred approach and sits within a culture of inter-agency working which requires you to maintain high standards of care and education. You are expected to develop your personal and professional dispositions within a framework that promotes inclusion and diversity within a framework of integrated working with other professionals.

Students who gain the award of FdA Early Years (0-8) will have demonstrated intellectual abilities and key transferable attributes, descriptors of which are informed by the QAA Characteristics Statement for Foundation Degrees (2015)  and QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Early Childhood Studies (2014).

Students who gain the award of FdA Early Years (0-8) will be full and relevant, having  met the requirements for EYE (including 260 hours of placement). 

FdA Early Years (0-8) remains a sought after qualification for those wishing to progress in the area of Early Years education and care. The identified progression route to an honours award is the BA (Hons) Top Up in Integrated Working with Children and families. Other possibilities include BA Early Childhood and Society, BA (Hons) Social Welfare, BA (Hons) Education Studies, BSc (Hons) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Top UP, Early Years Teacher and direct entry to year two of BA Hons Primary Education (QTS).

Part Time: Three Years

Year 1 – Level 4

• The Developing Child (30 credits)
• Health and Wellbeing (30 credits)
• Professional Practice (30 credits)

Year 2 – Level 4/5

• Playful Pedagogy (30 credits)
• Small Scale Practice-Based Enquiry and Future progression (30 credits)
• Safeguarding Children’s Welfare in the Early Years and Integrating Our Work with Other Agencies (30 credits)

Year 3 – Level 5

• Policy into Practice (30 credits)
• Childhood,  a Global Perspective (30 credits)

The Foundation Degree offers students a choice of pathways:

1. Pathway one: Foundation Degree Early Years (0-8) will also include:
   Reflection on practice development related to the Learning Outcomes for FDEY1004 (Level 4 and FDEY2004 (Level 5), and an Action Plan as part of the assessment for FDEY2004 (Level 5), identifying further practice development
2. Pathway two: Foundation Degree Early Years (0-8) (Professional Practice) will also include:
   Skills Audit mapped to the Early Years Educator standards at Level 4, with a review and Action Plan at the end to lead into Level 5.
   Evidence of skills will be signed off in placement by an experienced practitioner.  
   

For more information about the distinction between the Foundation Degree in Early Years (0-8) and the Foundation Degree Early Years (0-8) (Professional Practice) pathways, please contact  Liam Pinches Email: lpinches@halesowen.ac.uk Tel: 0121 602 7777 ext. 7867

Part Time available for 2023 entry

Part time course

• Students attend College one evening per week and participate in a range of activities, including tutor led information via lecture format, self-directed independent study, on-line learning activities, group discussions, workshops, small groups, paired work and discussion, content analysis of relevant materials – audio visual and text based sources, peer learning group activities, use of visual, auditory and physical technologies and support mechanisms

• Students allocated Personal Academic Tutor to support transition to studying higher education, and offer information, advice and guidance.
• Students are encouraged to use a range of resources, including books and journals from the Learning Resource Centre on Campus, as well as online learning materials.
• Course resources are provided using Blackboard – a virtual learning environment (VLE)

HE Programmes in the Event of Lockdown

You will engage in a range of learning and assessment styles and be encouraged to become effective and independent in researching and presenting work. Work based assignments will enable you to engage with your own practice and to share knowledge and expertise with others through activities such as group work and presentations.

In the third year of the course you will undertake a work-based study, which will allow you, with individual tutorial support, to focus on a particular area of interest within your professional practice.

Example modes of assessments include: written assignments, presentations, workshops, case studies, reflective portfolio entries, problem based learning, reflective journals, seminars, independent studies, workplace investigations, self-evaluation/needs analysis, evaluations, literature critiques.

Please make part-time applications via University of Worcester’s online application form. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk.

32 UCAS Tariff points

• Minimum of four GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above
• Evidence of Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy, for example key skills at Level 2 or GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C/4 or above on entry to the programme is desirable.  Where a student does not already hold a level 2 in English and/or Maths qualification, they must present evidence of this before the end of Level 4 to remain on a FdA EY (0-8) (Professional Practice) pathway to achieve the ‘full and relevant’ status.
• Acceptable qualifications include a minimum of 1 A Level or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, for example the CACHE Diploma or EdExcel BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

NB For the Early Years (0-8) pathway, if you do not have evidence of Literacy at Level 2, it will be necessary to complete a non-standard entry essay to demonstrate competence in written English

Through our non-standard entry route we welcome applications from experienced and mature practitioners who do not have the above qualifications

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office on 01905 855111

Other information

A current Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) is required.

You will also be subject to the usual prohibition list and criminal record checks.

If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office.

Students complete a minimum of 770 hours in placement/setting over the duration of the course. These hours and competency in practice is assessed through a Practice Portfolio which is a requirement for the FdA Early Years award across both pathways. Assessment of practice will be developed through an on-line portfolio 

For students following the FdA Early Years (0-8) (Professional Practice) pathway, this enables students to meet the 385 hours of practice which is required to gain full and relevant status. 

For students on the Foundation Degree in Early Years (0-8), apply to University of Worcester for the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families top-up, and you will be guaranteed an offer of place or interview.

September 2023

2023 course timetable to be confirmed.

2023 course timetable to be confirmed.

Please refer to the University of Worcester programme page for course fee information
https://www.worcester.ac.uk/courses/early-years-0-8-foundation-degree#costs

Students should apply via UCAS Apply using the following code: X312, or X313 for Professional Practice

H70003A

Part Time available for 2023 entry