Early Years and Children's Services: Leadership & Management Foundation Degree FdA

Why choose this course?

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.

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Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
2 years full time (employment based) XN13 2022
2023
Location Kingston Hill
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • Kingston is No.2 overall in the UK for education (Guardian league tables 2022).
  • You can earn as you learn. This course combines workplace learning (minimum of 16 hours per week) with part-time study (5 hours) at Kingston University.
  • On successful completion, you'll have 240 credits, enabling you to progress to a relevant work-based learning BA (Hons) top-up programme.

What you will study

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.

Year 1

Year 2

In Year 1, you will explore reflexive practice, child development and assessment and child protection.

Core modules

Professional Development through Reflective Practice

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.

Child Development, Observation and Assessment

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.

Child Protection and Ethical Practices of Working With Children

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.

Leadership and Management of Identity

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.

Core modules

Historical and International Perspectives of Early Years Education

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.

Leadership and Management of the Early Years Setting

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.

Leadership and Management of the Organisation

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.

Special Project

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.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2023

Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification in Early Years or relevant subject. Work experience in a relevant setting. Employment in an appropriate early years setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Enhanced DBS check and selection exercises. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

  • Level 3 early years qualification (or equivalent)
  • Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course
  • Normally two years' experience in an appropriate setting

Typical offer 2022

Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification in Early Years or relevant subject. Work experience in a relevant setting. Employment in an appropriate early years setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Enhanced DBS check and selection exercises. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

  • Level 3 early years qualification (or equivalent)
  • Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course
  • Normally two years' experience in an appropriate setting

Additional requirements

The selection process involves interview, selection exercises and a current DBS check.

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience that is equivalent to the typical offer.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We are seeking people who wish to enthuse and motivate young children as well as developing further their own knowledge, skills and understanding in young children's care and education.

International

International students who have the necessary visa/permit to work in the UK are welcome to apply. Please note the course does not meet the criteria for Student Route visa. If you are unsure of the current immigration rules, please contact our CAS and Visa Compliance team at UKVI@kingston.ac.uk.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes lectures, work-based learning activities, tutorials, online learning, workshops and seminars. You will also be supported by a work-based professional advocate.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas. 

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

Year 2

Year 1

Year 2
  • Field work: 512 hours
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 252 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 436 hours
Year 1
  • Field work: 512 hours
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 344 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 344 hours

 

  • Year 1 - 29% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity
  • Year 2 - 21% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity

How you will be assessed

Progress is measured by assignments, demonstration of professional competence in work-based situations, and practical demonstrations that apply the knowledge you have gained. There are no written exams.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 1
  • Coursework: 100%
Year 2
  • Coursework: 100%

 

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Students studying at partner colleges will receive their timetable from the respective colleges. Please contact your college for further details regarding your timetable.

Course fees and funding

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home' (UK) or ‘International' student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £6,300*

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

You should be aware that if you progress directly to the BA (Hons) top-up, the fee for the top-up year for home (UK) students is a reduced fee of £7,300. This only applies to foundation degree students from our franchise partners who progress directly from the FdA to the Top-Up. If there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply, currently £9,250 for the 2022/23 academic year.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2022/23 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home' (UK) or ‘International' student. In 2022/23 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £6,000*
International Year 1 (2022/23): £15,400
Year 2 (2023/24): £15,800

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

You should be aware that if you progress directly to the BA (Hons) top-up, the fee for the top-up year for home (UK) students is a reduced fee of £7,300. This only applies to foundation degree students from our franchise partners who progress directly from the FdA to the Top-Up. If there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply, currently £9,250 for the 2022/23 academic year.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies for 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting in 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

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.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees; this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

After you graduate

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.

Types of jobs

  • Creche manager
  • Extended school co-ordinator
  • Nursery supervisor
  • Room supervisor
  • Nursery manager
  • Sub-committee manager

Employers

  • Little Butterfly Nursery
  • Royal Marsden Hospital
  • Oasis Pre-School
  • St Clement Nursery School
  • Lyne and Longcross Nursery
  • Pre-School Learning Alliance

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).