We offer an innovative BA (Hons) degree programme in Early Years Education and Professional Practice which offers a diverse range of relevant practice and theory based modules.
Within these programmes, you will earn qualified Early Years Practitioner status (EYPS), gaining practical work-based experience combined with theoretical and policy-based knowledge as well as the transferable skills required for effective Early Years practice, including the management of Early Years settings. The course has been developed in direct response to changes in Early Years provision within Wales and the UK to provide well-qualified early childhood specialists working with young children and their families.
A fundamental aspect of the degree is the 700 hours of assessed practice based experience that you will complete in order to gain EYPS. This is made up of block placements during each year of your study in a range of relevant settings such as infant classrooms, private nurseries, integrated children's centres and day-care facilities.
By gaining a degree which sits at the forefront of changes within the sector, your qualification will be highly valued by prospective employers within this field. This degree also provides firm foundations for a range of related careers such as family support work, health and social care and community work.
In order to graduate with the bilingual award, students must take at least 80 credits in each year through the medium of Welsh. Students following this route will also qualify for a
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol scholarship worth up to £3000 over the three years.
Course Content
Year One:
All modules marked* are also available to study through the medium of Welsh.
Professional Practice (1): Developing Effective Practice (60 credits)*
During this module, you will be introduced to the requirements of the Early Years Practitioner Status qualification. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop skills in relation to creating nurturing and inclusive environments which provide high quality care and education. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own development in your practice.
The Developing Child 1 (20 credits)*
This module is divided into two parts with the first part focusing on academic writing skills. These skills will then be applied during the second part of the module where you will develop your understanding of the factors that influence growth and development in children. Specific aspects of development in childhood will be considered including areas such as cognition, memory, language, emotional and social development.
The Developing Child 2 (20 credits)
Following on from The Developing Child 1, this module will allow you to examine a range of theoretical perspectives related to children, child development and childhood and how these impact on current policy and practice. You will also have opportunities to develop knowledge in relation to the identification of policy and practice relating to the protection and safeguarding of children as well as examining the factors that impact children's health.
Early Learning (20 credits)*
Interactive sessions will provide opportunities to explore the value and importance of play in children's lives, both in theory and practice. You will study how and why children play, the role of adults and environments in the provision of play for children aged 0 to 8 and consider the possible benefits and challenges in the fun but serious business of providing for children's play. You will examine processes and theoretical perspectives of language acquisition and early mathematical development through the evaluation of key factors which impact in these two areas.
Year Two:
Professional Development 2: Working with others (60 credits)*
During this module, you will further develop the skills needed to achieve Early Years Practitioner Status, focusing on working with families. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop your understanding of a range of frameworks used in settings, developing skills in creating supportive environments for the provision of play, care, educational and learning opportunities. You will also engage in assessment and planning processes. There will also be opportunities to explore features of entrepreneurship in an early years context thereby allowing you to develop entrepreneurship capabilities.
Pedagogy and Practice in the Early Years (20 credits)*
The Pedagogy and Practice in the Early Years module allows you to develop knowledge and understanding of the philosophical and theoretical perspectives which underpin pedagogy and practice. You will have the opportunity to evaluate factors which impact on children's experiences of pedagogy and practice including the role of the adult, the environment and ethos as well as examining and reviewing the practical implementation of pedagogy in practice.
Becoming a Researcher (20 credits)
This module will develop your ability to critically engage with peer reviewed academic sources. You will examine critical issues in relation to undertaking research including ethical issues and gaining informed consent/assent. A range of methodological approaches and innovative research tools, will be evaluated to provide experience in their implementation and analysis of data.
Leadership and Management (20 credits)
This module will allow you to examine a range of key management skills related to change and project management. You will explore various methods that will allow you to resolve conflicts in the workplace whilst also evaluating methods to motivate and engage teams and manage relationships confidently. This module will enable you to evidence your leadership capabilities and will lead to a recognised ILM leadership and management qualification.
Year Three
Professional Development 3: Leadership and Management (60 credits)*
During this module, extensive opportunities in practice will enable you to complete the requirements related to the Early Years Practitioner Status qualification. This module will focus on leadership and management, providing opportunities for you to develop skills in leading and supporting high quality care and education. You will examine a range of policies and consider their impact on practice. You will also consider the principles of evaluating early years' services effectively. This module will equip you with skills to support your own learning and that of others through communities of practice.
Inclusive Practice in Early Years (20 credits)
Throughout this module you will critically examine the key principles and practice of inclusion in the Early Years, including the role of the Early Years Practitioner. You will distinguish between and analyse the key issues related to children with additional learning needs. You will explore and evaluate the planning and organisation of interventions and strategies for the support of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and inclusion.
Independent Research Project (40 credits)*
This module will allow you to develop your ability to research independently in an area of specific interest to you. In particular you will be able to select, rationalise and implement an extended written project and then to coherently, and fully, present the project in an academic style. You will receive guidance and support from your supervisor throughout the project.
Learning & Teaching
The Early Years Education and Professional Practice programme is delivered through a hybrid approach which involves both online and face-to-face learning and teaching. The variety of teaching approaches are designed to accommodate a range of learning needs.
Work-based placements are embedded throughout each year of the programme and take place in a range of partnership settings. Whilst on placement, on-going support is provided by a mentor in the setting as well as the University Tutor who will carry out an observation in practice.
Each 20-credit module has approximately 200 hours of study attached to it with 48 of these being delivered in taught sessions such as pre-recorded lectures, seminars and workshops. Approximately 52 hours are assigned for directed study and preparation tasks which are set as part of the pre-recorded lectures and taught sessions. The remaining 100 hours are self-directed study where students undertake the reading required for the module and complete their required assessment.
Every student is assigned a personal tutor when they begin the course and this tutor supports them for the entirety of their degree. There are scheduled tutorial meetings that students attend, but tutors also operate an open-door policy which allows students to access them outside the scheduled meetings. The university has well-established student support provision for students who have additional learning needs and also is equipped to deal with any issues that arise during the course of a student’s studies.
The modules are supported through the use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, which is web based and so is accessible anywhere via the internet. All programme-based material is held here, including lecture and seminar presentations, assessment information and additional reading or resources. Tutors also use Moodle to email students with information and updates.
The staff on this programme are from a range of backgrounds including play work, support work, health and teaching. They are committed to providing a high quality, supportive learning environment.
Assessment
Assessments are designed to maximise learning and provide realistic opportunities to demonstrate knowledge. Essays, resource creation, blog debates, workshops, presentations, observation and online portfolios are some of the methods used to assess your knowledge, skills and understanding of module content. Students are given the submission dates for assessments at the start of each module, as well as an assessment overview grid for the whole of the academic year to help them plan and manage their time effectively. Students receive individual feedback on their work that identifies strengths and areas for improvement. Whilst on placement, students will receive oral feedback from their mentors on a daily basis as well as written feedback following a visit from their University Tutor.
Employability & Careers
Employability skills are generated both through experience in work-based placements; within the teaching and learning environment and through a range of community engagement projects. In addition to the programme, you will have opportunities to further develop your knowledge, skills and experience in a range of areas as available.
Our graduates access a range of jobs and employment opportunities including further study in education via the Post Graduate Certificate in Education or Graduate Teacher Programme. Our graduates have pursued careers in a range of areas including nursery management, educational welfare and as local education officers for local education authorities. Graduates have also pursued careers in family support work and social care.
Progression to PGCE Teacher Training:
We are pleased to guarantee an interview for the PGCE Primary Course at Cardiff Met for all graduates of this programme (subject to the course being open with UCAS). An Honours degree minimum classification of a 2:2 is currently required, and the statutory entry requirements for training in Wales (including B grades or equivalent at GCSE for English and Maths, C grade for Science) must also be met.
Opportunities for further postgraduate study at Cardiff Met are also available through the MA Education programme that we offer.
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Applicants should have 104 points from at least 2 A Levels (or equivalent). Typical offers may include:
If you are studying combinations of the above, or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to UCAS Course Search for the entry requirements.
Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here
If you are a mature applicant and have alternative qualifications or experience that you would like us to consider, please contact a member of staff.
Entry to this programme is also subject to a satisfactory DBS check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs.
International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the
International pages on the website.
Selection Procedure:
Offers are made based on application via UCAS with specific attention paid to the personal statement.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course (full-time) should be made online to UCAS at
www.ucas.com. For further information on full and part time applications please visit our How to Apply pages at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
Part-time applications should be made direct to the University at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/selfservice.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3
If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.
Mature students
A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found
here.
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