Early Childhood
Foundation and BA (Hons) Degree
Our new Early Childhood programme offers you the chance to combine your study with work and family commitments. You might be an early years educator, a parent, a grandparent or a health worker, or simply wish to extend your knowledge and understanding about Early Childhood.
Our foundation degree helps you to develop a range of academic, professional and key skills.
If you wish to take your study further, the degree will also offer you a preparation towards an Honours Degree and is an important pathway to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood.
| Starts | Applications for 2018 entry are now open and should be submitted by 17 September 2018 |
| Day and time |
Teaching time and dates for 2018 entry. Year one University of Warwick - classes will take place on Monday evenings, 6pm - 9pm North Warwickshire and Hinckley College - classes will take place on Wednesdays, 1.30pm - 4.30pm At Warwick and NWHC all students attend two Saturday daytime sessions per term at the University of Warwick . Dates for these will be available soon. |
| Fee |
Information for 2018/19 will be available shortly View potential additional fees. |
| Venue |
The University of Warwick or North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and six Saturdays a year at University of Warwick |
| Entry requirements | NVQ Level 3 or equivalent is desirable and GCSE grade C is a distinct advantage Applicants are normally interviewed by the course selector |
| Length | Usually three years part-time to Foundation degree (a further two years part-time or one year full-time to Honours degree) |
| Contact |
Please use our contact us page if you have an enquiry about studying at Warwick |
Watch this video of Programme Director, Dr Sarah Cousins, to find out more about what the new degree involves and whether it's the right course for you:
This video was filmed in March 2016
Important Dates
The closing date for applications for this course is Monday 17 September 2018. The course will start week commencing 2 October 2018 with an induction event for all students on Saturday 29 September at the University of Warwick.
The Foundation Degree:
- Combines academic rigour with professional practice
- Promotes key and transferable skills, e.g. leadership, communication
- Prepares for career progression and is a route to further study
- Builds on prior experience and learning
- Offers employable teaching and learning experiences
- Offers optional modules in the third year:
o Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Early Childhood
o Leadership in Early Childhood Contexts
Who is the programme for?
- Professionals working in organisations where expertise in early childhood would be beneficial
- Early years practitioners in childminder, private, voluntary and independent settings, and schools
- Teaching and learning support assistants, classroom assistants and nursery assistants working in free schools, maintained schools, nurseries and other educational settings
- Other adults, including health workers, fathers, mothers and grandparents involved in supporting children's learning, welfare and development
How does it work?
- Part-time, modular structure linking theory and practice
- Core and optional modules and work-based learning involving work-based tasks and a project
- Flexible delivery methods including seminars, workshops, professional tasks, lectures and online learning opportunities
- A commitment to attending one session per week and two Saturdays per term in the first year (Monday evenings at Warwick and Thursdays (tbc) from 2pm at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College) Saturday teaching days at the University of Warwick; 9.30am-4pm (see dates above).
- A commitment to gaining substantial and broad experience*in one or more Early Years contexts, either as a volunteer or employee
*x3 or more hours per week or 100 hours per year - A Certificate in Early Childhood may be awarded (FHEQ Level 4) for those who do not choose to progress to FHEQ Level 5
- The Foundation qualification is at FHEQ Level 5 and provides an opportunity to progress to FHEQ Level 6
What are the benefits for me?
- Achieve a University of Warwick degree
- Gain knowledge and understanding of early childhood
- Build up your confidence as a scholar and professional
- Progress to an Honours degree
- Be on a recognised pathway towards further certificated professional status, e.g. Early Years Teacher Status, Qualified Teacher Status
- Progress onto the BA (Hons) degree course. This progression route to the BA (Hons) Degree has four pathways; Early Childhood, Early Childhood (Leadership), Early Childhood (Teaching, Learning and Assessment) and Early Childhood (Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability).
What do I need to do next?
- Applications are considered on individual merit
- A Level 3 Diploma or prior academic/vocational study and experience is an advantage
- GCSE (Grade C or above, or equivalent) in English is an advantage
The programme comprises:
Foundation Degree | 2017/18 | 90 credits | |
| 2018/19 | 90 credits | |
| 2019/20 (two terms) | 60 credits |
BA (Hons)
| 2019/20 (one term-summer) | 30 credits | |
| 2020/21 |
90 credits |
|
A list of modules can be found here.
Student Funding
Early Childhood Information Evening
Student video profiles
Watch video profiles of our current and past students to find out about their experiences studying here