The University of Worcester’s Early Childhood BA course has been awarded the prestigious Early Childhood Graduate Practitioners Competencies Quality Mark.
Department for Children and Families Colleagues: L-R Dr Emma Laurence, Course Leader for Early Childhood. Dr Alison Prowle, Senior Lecturer. Sue Baylis, Senior Lecturer. Sarah Hutchins, Lecturer.
The national recognition is awarded by the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN), and confirms the course delivers outstanding, practice-informed education, preparing graduates with the skills and professional standards they need to make a real difference for young children and families.
For students of the course, this means their degree is nationally recognised for excellence, giving them confidence that they’ll graduate with the practical skills and professional standards valued by employers.
“Being awarded this quality mark is a meaningful affirmation,” said Dr Emma Laurence, Course Leader and member of the University's Department for Children and Families. “Not just of our collective commitment to excellence in teaching and our academic support, but also to creating a wide range of meaningful opportunities for our students to engage in the sector from day one.”
She added: “The Quality Mark provides assurance to our students that their learning is rigorous, relevant, and recognised across the sector. It signals that the course prepares students not just to be excellent practitioners, but leaders who will shape the sector in the future.”
To achieve the Quality Mark, the University passed a rigorous audit, with assessors praising the course as ‘exemplary’, and noting it ‘exceeds expectations’. They also highlighted how students were highly complimentary about the support they receive, the quality of their experiences, and their inspiring aspirations for the future.
Dr Aaron Bradbury, ECSDN Executive Member, said: “The SCSDN Quality Mark is awarded to programmes that demonstrate a clear commitment to excellence in early childhood higher education.”
He continued: “The University of Worcester’s BA in Early Childhood reflects the principals and values that underpin high-quality provision, including research-informed teaching, professional integrity, and a strong focus on the child.”
Dr Bradbury added: “Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition.”
To learn more about the University of Worcester’s Early Childhood BA (Hons) course, visit the website or email study@worc.ac.uk