Early Years Professional FdA

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

This mode of delivery involves a blended learning approach. You are taught through a combination of face-to-face learning and tutorials with additional interactive online learning alongside independent study time. Online learning is mostly in a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard. You will require a basic level of ICT competence and computer and software including access to broadband and an up-to-date web browser. Face to face learning takes place in small study groups providing opportunities to interact with other students across a small number of interrelated programmes. These study groups provide you with a supportive peer learning environment where you can develop your skills and share your learning. In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

Both face-to-face and online learning take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion, small group activities and individual learning. Group and individual tutorials enable the discussion and development of knowledge, key concepts and skills as well as providing supporting as you approach key assessments.

In addition to the weekly learning sessions, there will be twice yearly Friday evening and Saturday daytime set study sessions provide the opportunity to work with other students on this Foundation Degree from across the county giving you an additional layer of peer support and networking opportunities.

Work based learning is a major component of the course. You are expected to have access to 7 hours per week either working or in a voluntary capacity across the study year in an appropriate environment working with children and young people. This time gives you an opportunity to explore the concepts, practices and policies studied in a professional context.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

The course can provide you with the self-confidence, skills and knowledge to develop your career in the early years sector. For example, FdA Early Years Professional provides you with the required qualification to take a leadership role within early years settings. The course covers all necessary criteria to support you in this role. Additionally other routes out of this degree involve roles in children's centre working, school settings or provision in statutory, voluntary and private organisations. The majority of students complete a top-up year to gain a full honours degree with some moving on further into masters level study. This course provides an excellent route to progress to qualified teacher status.

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