Early Years Sector Endorsed FdA

In 2013 the Foundation Degree in Early Years received ‘Sector Endorsement’ from the Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree Early Years, a nationally recognised organisation.

Apply now
Book an open day

Part-time

n/a

Education & Youth

Course overview

Being awarded Sector Endorsement means the course continues to ensure that

> the quality of teaching and learning is standardised across all partner colleges
> there are robust quality monitoring systems in place to meet the needs of employers
> the curriculum content equips you with a range of skills to meet the needs of children from 0 - 8 years.

This part-time programme is a foundation degree for early years' practitioners. You will be at least 18 and have experience of working with children in a variety of contexts. It comprises two years of part-time study at one of the University’s partner colleges. This enables you to progress on to the final year of the BA (Hons) Young Children and Early Childhood (Top-up).

The award of Teesside University is delivered in partnership with Darlington College (01325 503030), Hartlepool College of Further Education (01429 295000), Redcar & Cleveland College (01642 473132) and Stockton Riverside College (01642 865400). The course runs at these colleges, not at Teesside University.

Download pdf Order prospectus

Course details

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

Early Years Policy and Practice

This module investigates social policy and its links to early years practice. The module explores how policies about professional practice enable us to work effectively with children and families. Social policies about early years are considered within the module. You are encouraged to reflect on and critique the processes that make policies about early years. The content examines the impact that policies have on professional practice. The module considers how policies influence children through the ages of 0-3, 3-5 and 5-8.

Professional Development Portfolio

You explore the relationship between professional development and academic reflection in early years. You reflect on your professional practice to identify future skills development.

Protecting Children in the Early Years

Understanding Children’s Development

Year 2 core modules

Approaches to Pedagogy

This module explores pedagogy within early years and looks at how children learn and how they can be taught to learn. Learning and teaching are central themes of the module, which explores how children are educated. Educational strategies employed within early years including play are considered and discussed and you consider how pedagogy influences children through the ages of 0-3, 3-5 and 5-8.

Learning and Best practice in Early Years

This module explores how learning can be enhanced within early years. The content analyses ways of maximising children's learning. Good practice within learning and teaching are central themes of the module. The content investigates learning strategies within early years by considering how children learn from the ages of 0-3, 3-5 and 5-8 years.

Professional Development Portfolio

You explore the relationship between professional development and academic reflection in early years. You reflect on your professional practice to identify future skills development.

Research for Early Years

This module applies the research process to early years and looks at understandings of professional practice in early years via research findings. Models of research that can be applied to the early years context are considered and explored.

Modules offered may vary.

How you learn

You will be taught through seminars, lectures, interactive workshop sessions and our virtual learning environment with allocated tutorial support which focuses on study skills. Research-based findings on study skills will be used within the learning strategy. You will access self-study resource materials - media and internet. You will receive written and oral feedback to help you improve your future work.

How you are assessed

The programme is assessed through coursework which includes essays, reports, case studies, research reports and portfolio work.

Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

Entry requirements

In order to access the programme individuals must be working (paid or unpaid) in an appropriate early years setting (for example a school, nursery, children’s centre, Sure Start setting, childminding setting) and have professional access to children between the ages of birth to eight years for the duration of their studies.

In addition, applicants must:

be 18 years or over by 31 December in their first year of study;
have a Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent;
have experience working in the early years sector;
have a commitment to continuing professional development in the early years sector;
attend an interview prior to joining the programme
have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check)

For entry to level 5/year two, applicants must:

have 120 credits at level 4 in a Child Care FD or equivalent.
have experience working in the early years sector;
have a commitment to continuing professional development in the early years sector;
have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check)

Contact your local college for specific advice.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL