Foundation Degree in Early Years | Degree Centre Weymouth

Course Introduction
See the facilities
Meet the students
Meet the staff
Examples of work

Course Introduction

If you are currently employed within a child care setting for a minimum of 16 hours and already have a Level 3 qualification in child care then this course might be for you.

This well established part-time Foundation degree is delivered in partnership with Bournemouth University. The course is delivered one afternoon/evening for 4.5 hours with a series of additional workshops arranged to suit the class. It is envisaged that this mode of delivery would best suit employers, employees and organisations.

• 100% of students surveyed felt that the curriculum had been relevant to practice (July 2009 Review) • 100% of students surveyed said they enjoyed the course (Dorset Sure Start (Dorset County Council) Dec 2009)

Ideally, all students embarking on this course will need to have been working for at least two years in a full or part-time paid appropriate Early Years setting. In addition to the guidance and support given to students to develop the skills associated with working at a higher education level, the course is delivered in two key stages: During stage one (level C) students will look at all aspects of child development and learning through a series of lecturers, seminars and workshops and use observation and reflective practice to apply the principles to their own work settings.

There is opportunity to focus on supporting children through the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum as one of the units at Level C. Stage two (Level I) students will build on the knowledge and understanding gained from the Level C units, in addition to units covering Vulnerable Families, Managing Groups of Children and Working with Parents. A major component of Level I is a specialist project relating specifically to the student’s workplace or individual interest and specialism.

Aims:

The aim of this course is to offer to those employed across the early years age range in appropriate settings (senior practitioners, play workers, teaching assistants, child minders) the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’. The course is designed to provide a means by which they can obtain a recognised Higher Education qualification in early years care and education.

Benefits:

Financial support from government funding or LEA/SLC

Professional and inspirational staff

Flexible delivery enabling students to work and learn at the same time

Exciting and varied programme of subjects

High quality provision with access to BU resources

Progression/Career Opportunities:

The course provides a basis for progression to Honours degree routes to Education, Early Years Care and Playwork. Students who achieve the necessary standard can apply to the final year of the BA (Hons) Early Years Care & Education (Top-up) at Bournemouth University or work towards Early Years Professional Status*.

*Weymouth College in partnership with SCIL (Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning) is approved to deliver EYPS.

See the facilities

Dedicated HE study centre

Meet the students

Rebecca, FdA Early Years graduate 2009

Through completing the Foundation degree in Early Years I was able to explore and greatly enhance my knowledge of early years care and education through studying towards the wide range of interesting units. I have developed many of the skills needed to reflect on and improve my own professional practice and to critically evaluate/suggest improvements to practice in my work setting. I have benefited greatly from discussions with, and support from, fellow students and the lecturers at Degree Centre Weymouth. As I move on to top-up my Foundation degree to a BA (Hons) Early Years Care & Education, I am very grateful for the excellent grounding the Foundation degree has given me.

Having taken a number of studies into practice, I have been able to support not just the children in my care but also my work colleagues. My final project focusing on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) not only supports staff and children to develop skills in using a digital camera whilst the project was being completed but has given practitioners greater confidence in using ICT. It also identified a number of further recommendations on how we can improve practice in the setting; practitioners who openly admitted their apprehension in using ICT resources are now becoming actively involved in working alongside the children to trial new computer software and develop their ICT skills.

Jackie, FdA Early Years graduate 2008

I am a mature student, 41 to be exact, the Foundation degree in Early Years, and now the BA (Hons) and EYPS, all have been challenging on my time and other commitments. However, I feel I have developed and I am more confident. I challenge ideas and issues which I would not have done previously.

I am on the final leg of my long journey and was surprised when completing my EYPS visit documentation how many ideas, changes and innovations I have implemented during my time at my workplace setting. I am so pleased that I persevered and completed my long and rewarding journey.

Hazel, FdA Early Years graduate 2009

I found the Foundation degree a positive challenge which stretched my ability and increased my academic prowess. The time spent on the Foundation degree enabled me to experience a variety of emotions ranging from elation to frustration. It expanded my knowledge and interest especially the theory behind it. The positive relationship which developed between my fellow students and the tutors was invaluable. We built up a trusting honest relationship which enabled us to debate and express our personal views in the sure knowledge that as individuals we were not subjected to ridicule. I would like to add my personal appreciation for the support I received from senior tutors.

FdA Early Years Graduates 2010

Congratulations to the graduates of FdA Early Years 2010 who enjoyed their graduation ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on Tuesday 2nd November: Hannah Bennett, Kirsty Coles, Emma Fairclough, Charlotte Kinghorn, Anne Moss, Sharon Pugh, and Susan Wilson.