Early Years (0-8) Foundation Degree

Michelle Malomo

Michelle Malomo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department for Children and Families within the School of Education. Michelle lectures on a number of courses within the Department for Children and Families. She is the Partnership Co-ordinator for the Foundation Degree in Early Years. 

Michelle is a qualified Early Years and Playwork Practitioner with experience in both the private and voluntary sector. Her experience includes management with the Early Years sector youth and children’s development work within the voluntary sector. Michelle has worked in a range of settings and has been responsible for the development of social action projects with children, young people and families.

Amanda McCully

Amanda has taught on and been a course leader for the Foundation Degree in Early Years (FDEY) since the course first began in 2003. She confirms that over the years, it has been inspiring to see students develop their confidence, knowledge and skills, and go on to have a significant impact on practice or progress to professional roles.

Prior to the FDEY, Amanda taught to a wide range of age groups, including outdoor activities which she values as an important area to promote in children’s development. She has also worked as an advisor to level 3 early years BTEC awarding body and the National Working Group for the development of NVQ and Level 3 courses. Amanda continues to maintain an interest in curriculum development, including the new FDEY.

Julie Haynes

As a University of Worcester Graduate, Julie is passionate about the university and the opportunities that graduates from the FdA in Early Years (0-8) can have on the students personal and professional development. She is also passionate in supporting students develop so that they can support children and their families in a variety of communities.  

She enjoys teaching quality and safeguarding and is committed to ensure that children and their families receive the best possible outcome.  

In terms of Research, Julie is involved in a partnership project that is considering the impact of reading on a student’s development.

Sandra Derham

Sandra is course leader for two foundation degree courses, namely, Early Years and Learning Support at Halesowen College and teaches on both programmes.

She has worked within the children’s workforce since 1985 when she first qualified as a nursery nurse (N.N.E.B). Over the years, Sandra’s career has seen her working as a teaching assistant, family support worker, early years advisor and Surestart children’s centre manager. She has also set up a private day nursery in response to local demand for early years provision for two year olds and has a particular interest in play-based curriculum and multi-disciplinary practice.

Sandra has been committed to continuing her professional development throughout her career and can relate well to students who are studying alongside employment.

Sarah Phillips

Sarah teaches on the Foundation Degree in Early Years. Her background is as a Primary school teacher with an early years speciality.  Having taught all years from reception to year 4 in the UK and the Channel Islands, she undertook additional early years qualifications and became an early years mentor teacher for Worcestershire County Council, a role she really enjoyed. It gave her the opportunity to see and share the excellent early years practice across the county. 

After taking on the role of a primary deputy head teacher for 10 years, she achieved her National Professional Qualification for Headship. This was followed by a slight change of direction and the move to her current position as an early years lecturer. She now enjoys training and supporting those who wish to work with the next generation of young people.