Early Childhood (with Foundation Year) - BA (Hons)

Bristol, UWE

Designed for those who want to work in a professional capacity with or for children, this course provides an excellent foundation for careers with children or further study.

Recent research has established the importance and quality of learning from birth. Now is a really important time to consider how children explore their world. This Early Childhood degree considers ideas that are central for children's lives and their education, as well as the wider world. This means graduates in early childhood are sought after for a wide range of employment opportunities.

Our intellectually demanding BA(Hons) Early Childhood allows you to focus on the areas that interest you most. You'll examine issues around children's place in society, education, special educational needs, children's learning and development, language and reasoning and environments for children. Exploring issues affecting children between birth and eight years old, you'll link theory to practice, and understand social, psychological and philosophical factors in children's lives, learning and development. Undertaking work-related experience is a central aspect of the degree. You'll spend time in early childhood settings in each year of the course. Develop key communication, research, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, including learning to work effectively with others, organise information and ideas, and present your ideas clearly and confidently. Learn to reflect on your own and others' practice.

This Early Childhood degree will equip you to work at managerial level in childcare and educational settings, children's services and family support or in other fields. Many early childhood students study for an early years or primary postgraduate teaching qualification, or for a master's degree in social work, psychology, play therapy or speech and language therapy. By the end of your Early Childhood degree, you'll be qualified to work at level three in an early years setting (subject to completing work-related learning practice and holding suitable literacy and first aid qualifications). This means you can be counted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff:child ratios at level three.