UCAS Code: LX5J

Course

Length:

2 Years Full-Time, 2 Years Part-Time

Start Dates: September 2018

Department: Faculty of Education

Location: Edge Hill University<br />Holy Cross

College, Bury

• Experience a programme designed to meet theprofessional development needs of early yearspractitioners;

• Enhance your understanding of child developmentin social and cultural contexts and reflect on yourown practice;

• Opportunity to progress to BA (Hons) Early YearsPractice.

This is a programme created for new-to-role orexperienced early years practitioners. Practical,work-based learning will improve both your experienceand professional confidence, resulting in invaluable skillsto boost your career prospects.

If you work with children aged between birth and fiveyears and seek a higher education qualification, then thiscourse is for you. You will gain a solid academic groundingthat will improve your current knowledge andunderstanding of being an effective early yearspractitioner. This will provide opportunities for you todevelop further as an early years professional followinggraduation.

FdA Early Years Practice

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Course in Depth

What will I study?

Modules at Level 4 address various professional,academic and vocational issues common to all Early Yearsworkers. As well as gaining a greater understanding ofholistic child development in social and cultural contexts,you will be taught specific best practice techniques andprinciples, and learn how to plan and manage differentroles and responsibilities in a modern, multi-professionalworkplace.

Depending on status and experience, you will progressonto a choice of Level 5 modules to boost your individualdevelopment and your personal and professionaldevelopment as a trained Early Years professional in theworkplace. Topics currently available include:

• How to best meet the diverse needs of youngchildren;

• Working with interdisciplinary teams and managingother practitioners;

• Delivering the Early Years Foundation Stagecurriculum and assessment.

Supported learning using the internet and Edge HillUniversity's online resources is a major feature of theprogramme. No prior IT experience is necessary, as fullsupport will be provided.

How will I study?

Following an initial induction, you will attend face-to-facesessions one afternoon per week. Along with face-to-facesessions, you will be asked to complete directed tasks andcarry out independent research.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework which involves

portfolios, written essays, presentations, self-evaluationsand the completion of a small-scale research project.

There are no formal written examinations as part of thecurrent assessment methods on this programme.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by a highly experienced team of earlyyears lecturers and associate tutors who have extensiveexpertise and experience and a passion for early years. Allof the team are involved in current research and haveactively contributed to projects including thedevelopment of the Early Years Foundation Stage and theNational Professional Qualification in Integrated CentreLeadership (NPQICL). Each member of the team brings aparticular expertise and all are highly respectedpractitioners.

A Great Study Environment

The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront ofteacher education for more than 125 years and todayenjoys the enviable position of being one of the country'sleading providers of education, training and research forthe children's workforce.

Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty ofEducation's facilities include a 300-seat lecture theatre,five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching roomscomplete with the latest technology.

The faculty has a strong commitment to practice-basedlearning and has developed partnerships with over 2,000schools and colleges, local authorities and professionalassociations.

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Modules

Year 1

FDE1000: Personal and Professional Development in a Work Based Context (30 credits)Personal and Professional Development in a Work Based Context is a setting-based module that runs for the wholeyear and is undertaken in your setting / workplace. It involves a self-review of your knowledge and skills againstnational standards, target setting and the creation of action plans based on the reflections on your personalprofessional practice.

FDE1001: Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Whole Child (30 credits)Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Whole Child will develop your knowledge of the diverse needs of children indifferent historical, social and cultural contexts and the role of the practitioner in the promotion of children’s learning.The module will explore the history and aims of the provision for young children, current practice in Early YearsSettings, adult/child interaction, the importance of meeting children's individual needs and inclusive education.

FDE1002: Exploring Early Years Curriculum (30 credits)Exploring Early Years Curriculum is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and understanding of theprinciples and the content of the early years curriculum with a focus on a child-centred approach. The module will helpyou to identify key elements of early years education and link those to their practical experiences. The module will alsogive you an opportunity to reflect on your own practice and formulate principles in relation to the fundamentaldimensions of quality early years provision.

FDE1003: Working with Families, Communities and Other Practitioners (20 credits)Working with Families, Communities and Other Practitioners examines how early years practitioners meet the needsof families and communities within the early years context. There will be a consideration of historical, social andcultural perspectives on the development of the notions of 'childhood', 'family' and 'community'. The module includesan investigation into the range of family and community structures and the opportunities for children’s learning anddevelopment provided within these structures. Itwill also introduce you to the theoretical and practical aspects ofteam working within the early years settings and, in particular, the impact of working in multi-professional teams onyoung children and their families.

FDE1004: Researching Early Years Leadership and Practice (10 credits)Researching Early Years Leadership and Practice provides a background knowledge and understanding of the keyelements of educational research, including methodology, research methods and ethics. The purpose of thisintroductory module is to prepare you to conduct a small-scale research investigation.

Year 2

FDP2000: Developing Personal and Professional Effectiveness in Early Years Practice (30 credits)Developing Personal and Professional Effectiveness in Early Years Practice provides structured and supportedopportunities for you to investigate an issue or an initiative, centred around early years policy and practice. You will beasked to examine and discuss a particular issue or initiative impacting on early years development and learning. Themanagement of this issue or initiative will be analysed in relation to two contrasting settings, one of which will be yourown.

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FDP2002: Meeting the Requirements of the Early Years Curriculum (30 credits)Meeting the Requirements of the Early Years Curriculum will develop your understanding of the holistic nature ofdevelopment and learning in the young child, together with the role of practitioners within the process of providinghigh quality care and education for children aged 0-5. The module requires you to critically evaluate key aspects of theEarly Years Foundation Stage, focusing on theoretical and practical approaches to planning, provision for learning, andassessment for 0-5 year old children. Issues of transitions within the context of the Early Years Foundation Stage willbe critically examined.

FDP2003: Building and Managing Early Years Partnerships (30 credits)Building and Managing Early Years Partnerships develops your knowledge and understanding of the theoreticalmodels of leadership and management of early years teams. The module will focus on the application of basic 'team'theory to early years settings, allowing you to consider your current practice. It enables you to engage in criticaldiscussions of a range of early years partnerships within the current and developing early years context.

FDP2101: Working with Children to Enhance the Quality of Provision to Meet Specific Needs (30credits)Working with Children to Enhance the Quality of Provision to Meet Specific Needs furthers your understanding ofthe ways in which you can develop your practice to ensure quality provision in your setting. You will consider theprinciples underpinning quality management and practice and look at developing effective strategies for monitoringand evaluating your work with children, families and the community.

Timetables

You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure thattimetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes aresubject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellationof, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies, revisions to subject benchmarksstatements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right tomake variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Entry Criteria

Entry Requirements

To join this programme on a full-time basis:

Typical offer 16 UCAS Tariff points. You can achieve therequired number of UCAS Tariff points from A LevelGrade E or BTEC National Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) P.

Accreditation of prior learning through relevant NVQLevel 4 or 5 qualifications may be possible. GCSE Englishand GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above(or equivalent) is desirable.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University youwill be required to apply for a Disclosure and BarringService (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that youmeet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work withChildren and/or Vulnerable Adults'. The standard cost ofapplying for DBS Enhanced Disclosure for this course iscurrently £50. Further information will be sent to youafter you have firmly accepted an offer.

To join this programme on a part-time basis:

The minimum entry requirement is at least one year'sexperience of working within an Early Years settingeither as a volunteer or through full-time or part-timeemployment. It is desirable that you should also have 16UCAS Tariff points on the new UCAS Tariff or relevantLevel 3 qualifications. You can achieve the requirednumber of UCAS Tariff points from A Level Grade E orBTEC National Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) P.

Accreditation of prior learning through relevant NVQLevel 4 or 5 qualifications may be possible. GCSE Englishand GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above(or equivalent) is desirable.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University youwill be required to apply for a Disclosure and BarringService (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that youmeet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work withChildren and/or Vulnerable Adults'. The standard cost ofapplying for DBS Enhanced Disclosure for this course iscurrently £50. Further information will be sent to you

after you have firmly accepted an offer.

English Language Requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score nolower than 5.5 in each individual component, or anequivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band lower, eitheroverall or in one or two elements, our Pre-SessionalEnglish course might be for you.

Are there any alternative ways to meet theentry requirements?

If you have the ability to study for a degree but lack thenecessary qualifications or confidence, our Fastrack:Preparation for Higher Education course could be foryou. This free, seven-week programme provides a greatopportunity to gain the study skills and subjectknowledge to guarantee the offer of a place on an EdgeHill University foundation degree (subject to meeting anyadditional requirements stipulated in your Fastrack offerletter). For more information, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/fastrack.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Edge Hill University recognises learning gainedelsewhere, whether through academic credit andqualifications acquired from other relevant courses ofstudy or through recognition of an individual'sprofessional and employment experience (also referredto as 'experiential learning').

Previous learning that is recognised in this way may beused towards meeting the entry requirements for aprogramme and/or for exemption from part of aprogramme. It is your responsibility to make a claim forrecognition of prior learning. For guidance, please consultthe University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy andcontact the faculty in which you are interested instudying.

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Career Prospects

What are my career prospects?

New and exciting roles are in Children's Centres, LocalAuthorities, Nurseries and pre-schools, includingmulti-agency work and Early Years Teacher Status.

This foundation degree may also lead you to progressonto the BA (Hons) Early Years Practice.

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Finance

Tuition Fees

If you are a prospective UK or EU student who will bejoining this foundation degree on a full-time or part-timebasis in academic year 2018/19, the tuition fee will be£6,165 per annum.

The University may administer a small inflationary rise intuition fees, in line with Government policy, insubsequent academic years as you progress through thecourse.

Financial Support

Subject to eligibility, UK and EU students can apply for aTuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the fullcost of tuition fees. UK and EU students may also beeligible to apply for additional funding to help with livingcosts.

For comprehensive information about the financialsupport available to eligible UK and EU students joiningthis programme in academic year 2018/19, together withdetails of how to apply for potential funding, please viewour Money Matters 2018/19 guide for your intendedmode of study.

• Money Matters 2018/19Full-Time: www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfinance2018

• Money Matters 2018/19Part-Time: www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfinance2018pt

Financial support information for international studentscan be found at www.edgehill.ac.uk/international/fees.

Scholarships

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships with acompetitive application process for prospective full-timefoundation degree students. These scholarships aren'tlinked to academic success and celebrate determination,talent and achievement beyond your coursework, forinstance in creativity, enterprise, ICT, performance, sportor volunteering.

Additional scholarships, which you may qualify to receive,reward outstanding grades and are available to eligiblefull-time UK and EU students.

To find out more about scholarships, to assess youreligibility, and to meet some of our dedicated scholarshipwinners, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

If you wish to study full-time, apply online through UCASat www.ucas.com. Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyucas tofind out more about the application process.

If you wish to study part-time, apply directly to Edge HillUniversity at www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply-early-years-part-time.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us andformally enrol as a student, you will be subject to theprovisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions andpolicies which apply to our students. These are availableat www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Visit Us

If you are considering applying to study at Edge Hill

University, the best way to gain an insight into studentlife is to discover our stunning campus for yourself byattending an open day. You can view dates and book yourplace at www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays.

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend an open day, youcan find out more about all of our events for prospectivestudents, including monthly campus tours,at www.edgehill.ac.uk/visitus.

Request a Prospectus

If you would like to explore our full range ofundergraduate courses before you apply, you can order aprospectus at www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradprospectus.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about this programme, pleasecontact:

• Faculty of Education UndergraduateAdministration Team

• Tel: 01695 650938

• Email: UGProfessionalEducation@edgehill.ac.uk

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