BA (Hons) Early Years Practice: The Whole Child
BA (Hons) Early Years Practice: The Whole Child (awarded the University of Bolton)
University, Level 6
3 years (2 days a week)
September 2023
Full-time
Lister Building
Overview
This three-year programme combines taught modules and placement experience, with an emphasis on making links between theory and practice through all levels of the degree.
The course aims to:
- Provide a stimulating high quality programme of study in Early Years Practice with a professional and vocational focus.
- Develop your professional and transferable skills, knowledge, understanding, experience and confidence within Early Years Practice to enable you to pursue further study at postgraduate level.
- Enable you to adopt a variety of critical and analytical approaches to investigation and solution of real Early Years dilemmas and issues.
- Enable you to explore current knowledge and thinking and develop the practice and research skills required to respond effectively to the needs of the sector.
Key teaching and learning methods are designed to build upon your existing knowledge, further develop subject knowledge and move towards a greater degree of independent and self-directed study. The curriculum includes development of academic study skills which are required to complete an undergraduate degree and which will enable you to develop into an independent learner able to complete an independent research study in the final year.
Key Info
The course has relatively small numbers, which allows tutors to know students well and enables support to be adapted to the needs of cohorts. The programme therefore uses a range of teaching and learning methods that enable the development of knowledge and understanding, professional and practical skills, and transferrable skills including:
- Lectures and guest lectures
- Seminars and workshops
- Work-based placements
- Case studies
- Research projects
- Blended learning utilising Moodle (the College Virtual learning Environment) is embedded in all modules
Whilst there are significant opportunities to spend time with the tutors during timetabled classes and tutorials, there is an expectation that you will devote an appropriate amount of time to personal academic study and research. During the early stages of studies, guidance will be provided on how you can make the best use of your personal study time and how you should employ appropriate research methods. However as you progress through the programme, this guidance will become less structured and prescriptive.
Year 1 (Level 4):
- Academic Skills Development
- Professional Practice and Development 1
- Practitioner Role in Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Introduction to Children’s Rights
- Child Development: Theory to Practice
- Play, Discovery and Learning
Year 2 (Level 5):
- Research Methods
- Professional Practice and Development 2
- Child Development: Understanding and Working with Difference and Diversity
- Children’s Health and Wellbeing
- Safeguarding: Implications for Practitioners
- International Approaches to Early Childhood Education and Care
Year 3 (Level 6):
- Independent Research Study (40 cpts)
- Leadership and Employment
- Social Policy: Critical Issues for Practitioners
- Global Child: A Vision
- Education: Birth to Six Years
Entry to this course requires 5 GCSEs, including 3 at Grade 4 or C or above, which must include GCSE English. 2 A Levels or equivalent (e.g. AS Levels, BTEC Diploma, CACHE Diploma, Access course). 80 UCAS tariff points. As well as a DBS check and a health check.
Assessment is conducted through a range of methods. The emphasis is on interaction and you will be encouraged to work in small groups to share and develop your knowledge and experience, with tutor support. There will be ongoing formative assessment and feedback; tutorial support for summative assignments will be provided through group and individual tutorials and workshops.
Summative assessments will include written academic pieces, presentations, case studies, personal development plans, a time-constrained examination and a final Independent Research Project.
Assessment is centred on the practical and professional skills required by the wider Early Years sector. Consequently, assessment focuses on applying the bi-directional nature of Early Years theory and holistic practice. Communication skills are developed through a range of assessment methods including presentations, discussions and written pieces.
There is a two-day-per-week placement built into the course in each year, with some blocks to enable consolidation of experience. This placement provides the practical experience to enable you to develop as a confident and competent Early Years Practitioner and to make links between theory and practice in real world situations. There will be opportunities for experience within a wide range of statutory, voluntary and private agencies.
BA (Hons) Early Years Practice will form the basis for graduate training in the following professional fields:
- Qualified Teacher Status (Early Years)/EYT (Early Years Teacher) status
- Play work
- Roles in community work with children and families
- All roles involving the provision of education and care for children aged 0-6
- Voluntary/Charity/Local Authority
Full-time: £9,000 per year.
This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.
Videos
Disclaimer: Our prospectus, college documents and website are simply here to offer a guide. We accept no liability for any inaccurate statements and are not responsible for any negative outcomes if you rely on an inaccurate statement. We reserve the right to withdraw any programmes or service at any time.
