Foundation Degree in Early Years
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Foundation Degree
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credits
Description
The first few years of children’s lives are crucial to their development and opportunities in later life – and the adults who work with them are ideally placed to make a difference. If you’re looking to extend your expertise as an early years practitioner, this Foundation degree course will help you build on your knowledge and skills. It is suitable for experienced practitioners working with young children in a wide range of early years settings (such as nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres), including home-based carers and classroom/teaching assistants specialising in early years. It will build on your knowledge of children’s development and learning, as well as developing your understanding of policies and practice in early years settings. You’ll also learn professional and practical skills like planning, assessment and teamwork. The Foundation Degree in Early Years also prepares you to engage with further study, enquiry and practice.
How to register
Registration is not yet open for this qualification. For an autumn 2012 start, registration opens on 27 March 2012. If you would like to register your interest, you can order our free guide to studying in 2012.
Career relevance and employability
The Foundation degree in Early Years has been developed in association with employers and professional associations. It is Sector endorsed, recognised by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC), and considered ‘full and relevant’ for the purposes of registration and regulation – which means you’ll count in the qualified ratio of staff at Level 3.
Scotland: the Scottish Social Services Council has included this foundation degree course in the list of approved qualifications for managers/lead practitioners in early education and care.
Northern Ireland: although the degree is not a recognised qualification for classroom assistants in Northern Ireland, it would enhance their work with Key Stage 1 children.
Europe: this degree is also appropriate if you are working in English-medium early years settings in Europe and British Forces schools.
Further development
This Foundation Degree is a step on the way to the graduate entry pathway (GEP) that leads to Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). For further information about EYP Status see the Children's Workforce Development Council website.
On completing your studies, there are several options for topping up to a full BA degree – you’ll need to choose your route carefully and we recommend that you discuss your choices with one of our advisers.
This degree may also be helpful if you’re interested in further training as an Early Years Teacher. You’ll need to check with your training provider about their entry policy for ITT programmes – please note that the OU doesn’t offer teacher training for this age range. For more information see our careers advisory booklet Becoming a Teacher and visit the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) website in England; the Teach in Scotland website in Scotland; and the Teacher Training & Education in Wales website.
There’s more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
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 that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Further details will be available when registration opens for this qualification.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth, Education and Health and Social Care.
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