Children and Early Childhood BA (Hons)

Discover the key moments in the history of British education that have shaped current education policy, practice and curriculum. Through a historical approach, you consider education changes through a wider moral, social and political context.

This is a 20-credit module.

You learn about the range of law and policy services to support children and their families to understand how they work together in a multiagency way to meet childrens' needs. You support a range of children's services within voluntary, private and public sectors in teams that work together to supply these services.

This is a 20-credit module.

You consider the importance of research to understand and approach problems in educational settings. And you look at aspects of academic reading, writing and referencing, preparing you for future practice. Critically evaluate research findings to further develop your study and professional skills for academic practice and future employment.

This is a 40-credit module.

It's essential to understand child development from birth through to maturity when you work in an educational environment. Consider the construction of childhood, considering society's influences, and discussions relating to childhood at a national and international level. Examine the relationship of human development to changing conceptions of childhood and how these have evolved over time.

Using a range of theoretical perspectives, develop your knowledge of patterns in human development - which are not always linear or predictable. Explore a critical understanding of how children’s lives are shaped by society and ideas held about childhood, and consider the ethical implications of these.

This is a 40-credit module.

Develop an understanding of diversity in society and examine some of the ways in which education systems respond to it. Explore how social inequalities such as class, gender, race and disability can be challenged or reinforced by educational law, systems and teaching.

This is a 40-credit module.

Understand your strengths and areas for development, and develop graduate skills including effective communication, interview techniques, work etiquette, and professional presentation. Explore graduate employment pathways and issues, opportunities, reflective practice, and experiential learning with our Student Futures team, external professionals and our alumni.

This is a 20-credit module.

Enhance your knowledge and understanding of the importance of safeguarding policies and procedures for children. Consider the importance of promoting health and wellbeing throughout childhood. Examine how professionals meet children’s needs and maintain their rights through current and contemporary safeguarding aspects.

This is a 20-credit module.

You explore educational methods to support the learning and development of babies and young children, from birth through to primary school. You build your understanding of child development to examine the importance of play, acquiring and developing language, and interactions between children and practitioners for children’s learning.

This is a 40-credit module.

Explore and critically consider education in relation to the reproduction of social inequalities and the formation of identity. Utilise theory and current research to develop your understanding of the structuring influence of post-war education policy, exploring it in relation to social class, ethnicity, sexuality and gender. Focus on the extent to which, across these factors, education and schooling are characterised by differences, divisions and inequalities which reflect wider issues in society. And consider how language, culture and power are used in education systems to reproduce or challenge inequality.

This is a 20-credit module.

Enhance your understanding of pedagogy in childhood, drawing on and synthesising your learning in previous years to deepen your understanding of how to support children’s learning and development. You critically engage with the implementation of educational frameworks and explore the wider context of educational policy and practice. You consider pedagogical approaches for different groups of children.

This is a 20-credit module.

Develop your independent research skills on a topic of personal interest that relates to your course. Define your research focus and create a plan, carry out real-time research. and write up the process and results in a final report.

This is a 60-credit module.

Develop graduate skills through work experience, professional activity or work-related learning, preparing you for employment in educational contexts. Understand graduate employment pathways, opportunities, professional working contexts, reflective practice and experiential learning, preparing you for graduate careers and enabling you to identify and evidence your own graduate skills. Explore employability issues and skills with our Student Futures team, external professionals and alumni. You may need a DBS check and satisfactory completion of any additional documentation requested by the work placement partner organisation.

This is a 20-credit module.

Develop your knowledge and understanding of vulnerability in early childhood, and how agencies should work together to support and safeguard children. Take a critical approach to the concept of vulnerability, considering the role of families, parenting and early intervention, and the role of professionals and ethical issues.

This is a 20-credit module.