Early Years
The first few years of any child’s life shape how they see the world, and have a strong influence on their future. There can be few jobs as important and challenging as supporting young children’s learning and development.
You may work in a voluntary or paid capacity in a nursery or a playgroup, in a primary school or special school as a teaching assistant, or at home as a registered childminder. You may want to take just a single course to satisfy a professional development need or your interest in a particular aspect of childhood. Alternatively, our certificate and degree programmes provide the ideal solution if you’re looking for a stepped approach to career progression, via nationally recognised vocational qualifications.
Where to start in Early Years
If you have been working with young children (aged from birth to seven years and eleven months), in an education or care setting (in either a paid or voluntary capacity), you should have the experience you need to begin studying the Certificate in Early Years Practice, which will take six months if you’re studying full-time, or one year part-time. While you’re studying, you will need to be working directly with young children in a relevant setting.
Worried about your ability? Or the time it will take? If you're a UK resident you can start with one of our Openings courses: short courses with lots of support and no exams, giving you a gradual introduction to your subject and the world of studying.
Don't forget that if you need help considering options you can talk to an adviser. And if you have some previous study experience you may qualify for credit transfer.
Degrees
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Childhood and Youth Studies
This degree is for those who work or intend to work with children and young people, or for those with more general interests in the interdisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies. -
Early Years
Gain the specialist knowledge you need to work with children aged 0-7 in early years settings with this degree. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.
Foundation Degrees
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Early Years
If you’re an experienced practitioner working with children from birth to seven years old in an early years setting, this degree will further your knowledge and skills.
Certificates
Courses in Early Years
See the list of all our individual courses in Early Years.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Childhood and Youth.
Spotlight on Early Years
'Pass this on...
... to any students wondering what they’re doing it all for! I’ve just accepted a job working for the Portage service (a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs). I competed for the job with teachers and speech therapists. My Foundation Degree in Early Years was seen to be as strong a qualification, and as relevant, as a teaching degree. They were also impressed that I’d studied while working full-time and having 3 children. Dreams really do come true.’
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
