Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years
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Diploma
- Code
- E37
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credit points
Description
This diploma is suitable for experienced practitioners working directly with young children (aged between birth and seven years) in a range of care and education settings, and for classroom assistants specialising in early years. It will provide knowledge and skills required for working with children in these settings. It also prepares students to engage with further study, enquiry and practice where a knowledge of early years is required.
This Diploma of Higher Education consists of 240 points, 120 at undergraduate Level 1 (SCQF Level 7) and the remaining 120 at undergraduate Level 2 (SCQF level 8 or 9), and is at the same level as the first two years of an honours degree. The minimum study time to complete the Open University’s Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years is two years and 8 months which would be the equivalent to full-time study and would require exceptional commitment to studying.
This diploma will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. It is offered to students who live and work elsewhere as the Foundation Degree in Early Years (G01).
Planning your studies
The diploma includes a specialist vocational component, which is underpinned by broad-based academic learning. You must be a current practitioner in the field with at least two years experience and you should be able to verify your experience, skills and knowledge. During your studies, you will need to be working directly with young children aged between birth and seven years, for a minimum of five hours a week in a childcare setting, in either a paid or voluntary capacity in order to complete the work-related and work-based assignments within this diploma. Confirmation of this will need to be provided. If your work setting is unable to provide appropriate support you will not be able to undertake the whole programme. For further information about the work-based element of the diploma see the frequently asked questions and the course descriptions for Personal professional development: early years settings (E115) and Extending personal professional development (E215).
A range of assessment methods will be used including written assignments, end-of-course examinations, evidence-based portfolios, and work-based project files.
You must complete E100* (or E123 (or E660/EYC660 or EZL123 ) and E124 (or EZL124)) before you start E115 and complete the compulsory Level 1 study before starting E215, the last course for this diploma.
Our strongly recommended route is to study the compulsory Level 1 courses, followed by the Level 2 option course(s), with E215 as your final course. Although it is possible to study the Level 2 option course(s) at the same time as E215 this will require a significant commitment to study. If you choose to study the Level 2 option course(s) at the same time as E215 then you must register for the course(s) when registering for E215.
Anyone working in a childcare setting will need to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for doing so, as required for the setting and country in which they are working, including obtaining the necessary criminal record disclosure. It is the responsibility of you and your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than the OU. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in doubt about your eligibility. For information about who to contact in Scotland about criminal record clearance visit our faculty website.
From 1 January 2011 all students wishing to claim the Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years (Dip HE EY) will be required to have passed all the courses within 7 years of starting the first course.
Those students claiming the diploma prior to 31 December 2010 will not be subject to this time limit. This will enable those who have studied courses towards the diploma prior to notification of the introduction of this time limit to have time to complete the award. From 1 January 2011 the time limit will apply to all students.
Career relevance and employability
This diploma has been endorsed and recognised by employers in the early years sector. It may be helpful if you want to continue to study and train to be an early years or primary teacher. You must check with the university of your choice about their entry policy for ITE programmes as The Open University does not offer qualifications which will enable you to become a teacher for the primary age range. For more information see our booklet Becoming a Teacher which has been prepared to help those who are considering teaching as a career. For up-to-date information see the Teach in Scotland website.
This diploma is recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council as an appropriate qualification for support workers and practitioners in day care of children services.
On completion of this diploma there are several options available for you to top up to a bachelors degree. Careful choice of your study route after the diploma is needed to ensure you complete the correct courses for the required degree as there are different compulsory courses at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10). It is recommended that you discuss your intended study route and course choices with one of our advisers.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Option 1 – BA Early Years (B51)
If you follow this route you can achieve a degree in early years either with or without honours.
You can ‘top up’ your diploma to achieve the 300-point BA Early Years (B51) degree by studying the compulsory 60-point course Working together for children (KE312).
If you wish to achieve the 360-point BA Early Years (B51) degree then you will be able to ‘top up’ your diploma by completing a further 120 points at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10). You will need to study the compulsory courses Working together for children (KE312) and Early years focus on research with children and young people (EK311) .
Option 2 – BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23)
You can choose to ‘top up’ your diploma by studying a further 120 points at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10) from the named courses for the BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23). You should note that Childhood (U212) is a compulsory course at Level 2 (SCQF Level 8) for this degree. If you do not take it as one of the optional Level 2 courses in the diploma, then you will need to take it as part of your study for the BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies, in addition to the 120 points at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10).
Option 3 – BA or BSc (Hons) Open Degree (BD)
An alternative route you might choose to follow is to ‘top up’ your diploma to gain a BA/BSc Open degree (BD) by studying 120 points from any other courses at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10).
Courses
For this 240-point diploma you require:
60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 1 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | |
|
30 |
Or, subject the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses E660 or EYC660 (30 points for this award)
* This course is a replacement for the two 30-point courses E123 and E124. If you have successfully studied one of these courses and wish to study the other, there is an opportunity to do so. E123 and E124 will be presented for the last time in October 2011. Please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for further advice.
And 60 points from the following compulsory course:
| Level 1 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 |
And 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 2 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Jan 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
| or | ||
|
30 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course E242
** Compulsory course if you wish to progress to the BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies but is not a compulsory course if you are working towards the BA Early Years
And 60 points from the following compulsory course:
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 FINAL |
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years and will be entitled to use the letters Dip HE (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth, Education and Health and Social Care.
Study explained
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- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
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- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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