Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

**Course snapshot**Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. On University College Birminghams Early Childhood Studies degree course, youll gain the essential academic knowledge and practical experience to help meet the needs of children and families and the demand for highly-qualified graduate practitioners in the sector. Enhanced by the inclusion of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies, our course ... READ MORE

**Course snapshot**Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. On University College Birmingham's Early Childhood Studies degree course, you'll gain the essential academic knowledge and practical experience to help meet the needs of children and families and the demand for highly-qualified graduate practitioners in the sector. Enhanced by the inclusion of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies, our course provides a range of placement and enrichment opportunities allowing you to engage with multiple perspectives within early childhood, paving the way to a wide range of rewarding careers working with children.**Who’s the course for?**This course provides an ideal foundation for students seeking a career working with children, including areas such as nursery management and special needs. If you wish to move into teaching, our course also provides an excellent basis to progress onto a PGCE course.**Why should I study the course?**- **WORK PLACEMENTS** – From day care and nurseries to primary school mentoring and special education, gain real world experience on a range of placements throughout your degree- **ENRICHMENT** – Broaden your skill set with enrichment opportunities such as Lego therapy, Makaton training, baby massage, paediatric first aid and food hygiene- **INDUSTRY APPROVED** – This course incorporates the Graduate Practitioner Competencies developed by the ECSDN (now included in the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the DfE)**Great. Tell me some more**We offer placement opportunities in a wide range of settings including nurseries, playgroups, children's centres, schools and specialist community organisations. Where possible, placements will be offered to compliment your chosen career pathway.This course will require you to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. UCB will co-ordinate and fund the completion of your DBS check prior to enrolment.Students who fall short of the required 96 UCAS Tariff points (but have no less than 60 UCAS points) are still welcome to apply. You will be asked to attend a progression module prior to starting your course (commencing in June) which requires you to attend two days of lectures and the completion of four assessment tasks. On successful completion of the progression module, you will be offered a place on the degree course.**What skills will I gain?**You will gain an understanding of the key characteristics of childhood and how to meet the needs of young children, as well as how to help them develop and grow through creating new learning opportunities such as play-based learning.You will gain an in-depth knowledge of the wider issues surrounding childhood development, such as social trends and the impact of legislation.By undertaking work placements, you will learn how to apply theory to practice in a range of environments.**What about the future?** Depending upon experience, graduates will be equipped to work in child-related organisations in education, welfare, leisure, advocacy and counselling in a variety of roles, including:- Family link officer (for the prison service)- Family support worker- Out of school club manager- Nursery manager/owner- Nursery supervisor/room leader- Mentoring/TA roles in schools- Pastoral/attendance officer in schools- Support worker roles for children’s charities- Children’s travel representative- Museum education officer- Personal learning coach in colleges- Early years lecturer You could also progress onto postgraduate study, including a PGCE course at UCB.