The Learning and Development of Babies and Young Children

Course content

The course is designed to build upon your knowledge and experience. You will investigate:

• child development and inclusive practice
• children’s health and well-being
• explore the importance of play and positive relationships
• examine the frameworks for learning and development
• discover provision to meet children’s needs
• examine safeguarding children and explore attachment

Throughout you will also develop your own personal learning skills including becoming a reflective practitioner.

Meet the student - Holly Love

Meet the student - Julie Heathcote

Modules

Career opportunities

This is a highly topical area of study as current policy and legislation is leading to the demand for experts in this field. The aim of this foundation degree is to develop you as a specialist in the learning and development of babies and young children. Completion of this foundation degree would also allow you to progress on to the final level of an honours degree.

How will I study?

The foundation degree is offered to you as a fully supported e-learning programme. You will access the course through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) from home. This is an easy to use self-contained website which enables you to access specially written course materials and to access your tutor and other students by e-mail, forums (chat rooms) and collaborative working (everyone goes on-line at the same time and we chat in real-time). You will also receive support from your tutor by telephone and invites to study support days at the university (non-compulsory).

There will be three study support days offered throughout the year. These will take place on a Saturday in October, January and April.

The first two modules (1&2) will be available for study online between October and Christmas.
The second two modules (3&4) will be available for study online between January and Easter.
The third two modules (5&6) will be available for study online between April and July.

Assessment

There are no formal written examinations for this course. All assessments are based on your academic study or from gathering information in the workplace. They come in a variety of forms including practical tasks and more academic assessment. In your first year, for example, you can expect to be reflecting on personal experience, writing short essays, developing activities, writing guidelines, developing policies and procedures and designing leaflets for parents and colleagues etc.

You will get lots of support especially as you start to develop the skills needed to complete assessments. Feedback will be given during and after each assessment to help you build a variety of academic and practical writing skills.

Course Duration

Part-time:

Two years

Entry requirements and applying

To start the foundation degree you will need:

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification i.e. NVQ, BTEC etc
• At least two years experience working with or supervising practitioners working with children in the birth to five age range
• Current employment working with or supervising practitioners working with children in the birth to five age range for at least 10 hours per week
• Agreement from your employer to support your study in terms of access to documents and learning experiences. Your employer will be asked to sign a Learning Agreement. (Not applicable in all circumstances i.e. childminders etc)
• Enhanced CRB disclosure (CRB from current employer is accepted)
• Access to a computer and internet connection at home
• A satisfactory interview

See information on general entry requirements.

Applicants should apply direct

If you would like to discuss the course further you can contact the Programme Leader, Liz Sheen at e.sheen@glyndŵr.ac.uk or call on 01978 293154.

Or contact: Student Information Desk at sid@glyndwr.ac.uk or call 01978 293439