What's covered?
This course enables you to develop the skills to progress in your career working with children, alongside your job.
It is aimed at early years and education practitioners who are working with children up to the age of 11 and requires you to be released from your setting to attend Langley College for up to one day a week. This vocational award is a work-based course, and your assignments and lessons are all designed to benefit your professional development. You'll build upon your experience through modules in areas such as child development, safeguarding, creativity and critical thinking, and working in partnership with parents. College sessions include lectures, as well as tutorials and seminars. The course also incorporates a great deal of group work, which will be an opportunity to share experiences with fellow professionals working in a range of settings. There is plenty of support available to help you get the most out of your course. You will be given an academic tutor who will have regular one-to-one meetings with you. You'll also nominate someone from within your own workplace, such as a manager or colleague, to become your mentor. Additionally, you'll benefit from small learning groups and access to facilities and support at Langley and the University of Reading.
Year 1 - core modules
- Theories of development and learning
- The child in society (1)
- Learning spaces
- Working in partnership with parents
- Professional Skills
- Effective communication
Year 2 - core modules
- Practitioner research
- The child in society (2)
- Creativity and critical thinking
- Supporting development and learning for 0-11 years
Optional modules include:
- International perspectives
- Leadership in the children's workforce
What do you need?
You must be working at least 2.5 days a week in a relevant education or care setting, and are normally expected to have obtained:
- An NQF Level 3 qualification in a work-related area;
- GCSE English Language at a grade C (grade 4) or above;
- GCSE Maths at a grade C (grade 4) or above;
- At least 2 years' experience of working within the Children's Workforce, for example, in a registered early years setting or in a school as a Teaching Assistant.
Any candidate who does not fully meet the entry criteria (for example, who does not have Maths GCSE or the specified amount of full-time work experience but may have part-time and/or volunteering experience) is invited to submit their application, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How you are assessed
Through reflective accounts, essays, reports, presentations, e-portfolio, group wiki and a research project during the second year.
How Long?
2 years, attending college one day per week
What course next?
On successful completion of the Foundation Degree here in Langley, you will have a priority place on the year-long top-up course (based on 1 day's attendance each week at the University of Reading) to gain a BA(Hons) in Children's Development and Learning. This will give you further opportunities for professional development, for example, gaining Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status.
What could this lead to?
This course aims to develop your reflective and analytical skills and increase your self-confidence. It will enable you to build on your experience as a practitioner and develop new strategies for supporting children and working alongside colleagues and parents. As a graduate you will be well-placed to take on increased responsibility within the workplace and move into management roles.
