Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. If you are passionate about working with young children and their families, our Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) degree will give you the knowledge and experience to become a highly qualified graduate practitioner and open the doors to a rewarding career helping to meet the needs of children.

Covering work with children aged 0-8 years, our course offers the special benefit of including Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Awarded in your final year, these demonstrate your holistic understanding of early childhood and your ability to critically apply knowledge to practice. By adding Graduate Practitioner Competencies to your final award, you’ll be at the forefront of graduate practice and have new opportunities to strengthen your employability, as well as for progression onto postgraduate academic programmes or professional training in everything from teaching to social work and play therapy.

Our course will teach you about key characteristics of childhood and how to meet the developmental needs of young children, including wider topics such as inclusion, health, safeguarding, and leadership. You will also gain extensive work experience across a variety of placements and go on visits to observe different childhood approaches first-hand, as well as having opportunities for additional qualifications and enrichment activities including Makaton training, Pediatric First Aid, introductory Lego therapy, and baby massage sessions.