Course description
General information
This a 2 year part-time equivalent programme leading to a Foundation Degree. It is aimed at those working in the Early Years sector in nursery classes,day nurseries and schools. For the purposes of the Foundation Degree "Early Years" is defined as Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
The course is designed for those working in Early Years settings, those who are already, or are progressing towards the role of Senior Practitioners in Early Years Care or, if working in a school setting, for those who support teachers and pupils. It is also suitable for teachers in the private or independent sector who may not hold qualified teacher status.
The programme has a strong vocational element and students will be required to work in an early years setting for a minimum of two days a week for the duration of the programme. This may be as an employee or volunteer worker. Please note employment or placements in playgroups and after-school/breakfast clubs are not suitable for the purposes of this Foundation Degree.
Course content
Level 1:
* Professional Practice 1 : A portfolio of practical tasks and activities to confirm work-based competencies.
* Personal and Professional Development 1: Students will analyse their current level of competence and draw up a personal development plan linked to Professional Practice Portfolio. This will be submitted with developmental work and a portfolio of evidence to confirm monitoring of progress towards goals.
* Confident Children, Confident Learners : Student will carry out a series of observations on one child and use these to inform planning to enhance the development of self-esteem, self-reliance and confidence as a learner.
* Intellectual and Cognitive Development of the Child : Students will sit an exam for this course. Significant and emerging theory and practice relation to intellectual and cognitive development will be reviewed and analysed. Strategies to assess and enhance the intellectual, cognitive, personal, social and emotional development will be explored and students will develop, implement and evaluate plans and activities to meet individual needs of children enabling them to participate confidently and effectively in activities.
* Working in Partnership with Parents : Students will complete a written assignment for this course. Students' own knowledge will be reviewed and updated in the light of recent Government initiatives and legislation with regard to working with parents to enhance their children's learning and development.
* Working as Part of a Multi-disciplinary Team to Promote the PSE of the Child : Students will complete a written assignment for this course. They will access, review and update their own knowledge of significant and emerging theory and practice enabling them to assess and enhance the personal, social and emotional development of the child.
* Using ICT to Support Learning : Students will plan, implement and evaluate activities to promote using a range of methods of ICT. They will present and demonstrate the use of one piece of software and evaluate the same. Students will be required to manage groups of children, enabling them to participate confidently and effectively in ICT activities to support their learning and development.
Progression
Successful students who graduate with an FD may progress into the final year of an Honours degree and access will be provided to the following named degrees at the University of Greenwich: BA(Hons) Early Years Education BA(Hons) Childhood Studies BA(Hons) Education Studies BA(Hons) Social Care BSc(Hons) Health Studies BA(Hons) Combined Those who wish to train as teachers must have GCSE passes (A-C grade) in English, Mathematics and Science (if training for state primary schools).
