Do you work in Early Years or Children's Services? This Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years (SEFDEY) approved course is ideal if you work in an early years setting, or within the wider children's services, and currently hold a leadership or management role, or aspire to do so in the future. This course builds your leadership skills through a combination of academic study and work-based learning, in which you'll draw on your practical experience.
You'll study a broad range of knowledge, skills and strategies in relevant aspects of Early Years education, such as approaches to your practice, leadership and management and child protection.
You will study a broad range of knowledge, skills and strategies in relevant aspects of education, health and social care, and have the opportunity to draw on your practical experience whilst engaging in a diverse range of theoretical and philosophical debates.
You can top-up your qualification to a full BA (Hons) degree at Kingston University through a further year's study.
Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
---|---|---|
2 years full time (employment based) | XN13 | 2022 2023 |
Location | Kingston Hill |
This course covers a wide range of theoretical perspectives in the field of leadership and management. It includes aspects of education, health and social care which are relevant and necessary for leading and managing in the early years sector. It provides a route into higher education for experienced and committed early years practitioners wanting to progress from level 3 to a foundation degree.
In Year 1, you will explore reflexive practice, child development and assessment and child protection.
30 credits
The content will explore the knowledge and skills required of higher education and will examine the meaning of academic terminology. Students will explore what constitutes reflective practice in a work-based environment and will be encouraged to identify their previous knowledge and experience and to recognise intrinsic and extrinsic influences on their practice. The main features of the module include the introduction of theory and the interface with work-based learning. Students will be supported in recognising their strengths and areas for enhancement enabling them to reflect on their professional development.
30 credits
This module offers students the opportunity to examine in detail child development theories and key influential pioneers of current practice. They will explore a range of relevant formative and summative assessment techniques in order to identify and plan for learning and developmental pathways within statutory curriculum guidance for children from birth to five years of age.
30 credits
This module introduces students to the legal and ethical requirements for ensuring that all children and young people are protected and make progress in learning and development. Students will examine challenging case studies and will explore strategies for communicating and working effectively with children and young people, their families/carers and other professionals to ensure that their needs are met.
30 credits
This module is a core requirement for students taking the Foundation Degree in Early Years Leadership and Management. This module offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of leadership and management theory and how this applies to their personal perspectives and experiences in the work place. Students will examine issues relating to personal influences with particular emphasis on the development of their professional identity. The students will evaluate the methods, strategies and approaches that they use to manage themselves.
In Year 2, you will learn about leadership and management in the Early Years Setting and organisations, early years pedagogy and practice and conduct a special project.
30 credits
This module is an exciting opportunity for students to explore key influencing historical and international theories and systems that are evident in current early years practice. The programme has been designed to enhance students' skills in research and critical analysis enabling them to make informed contributions to lively debate and discussion recognising aspects of their practice that may have originated from authoritative historical and international influences.
30 credits
This module is a core requirement for students taking the Foundation Degree in Early Years Management and Leadership. It explores leadership and management issues in order to enhance quality assurance and to support change that may improve the educational experiences of children in the early years setting. The module content encourages students to identify their settings' needs and to work collaboratively with the staff, other professionals, children and their families in order to devise and implement an action plan for creating improvement and change.
30 credits
This module is a core requirement for students taking the Foundation Degree in Early Years Management and Leadership. Students will be introduced to theory and research that explores the leadership and management of early years and other educational organisations in order to support professional and business development. The module content will examine issues such as marketing, service user requirements, finance relating to budgeting, cash flow and profit as well as how to design and create a business plan.
30 credits
The module enables students to extend their professional development in a chosen area of practice within the field of special educational needs and inclusive practice. The module supports students to implement an independent, systematic enquiry in order to critically reflect upon an aspect of pedagogy and/or practice and to initiate changes that may improve the educational experiences of children and young people.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Teaching includes lectures, work-based learning activities, tutorials, online learning, workshops and seminars. You will also be supported by a work-based professional advocate.
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Once you have completed this FdA followed by the BA(Hons) top-up, you will be well-placed to pursue postgraduate opportunities and enhance your professional development in education and related fields.
Many graduates return to Kingston University for postgraduate and continuing professional development studies including Early Years Initial Teacher Training leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and MA studies.
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