Develop your understanding of the way children think and learn and the meaning of their play. Increase your understanding of the safeguarding and protection of children and of their health and well-being. This knowledge provides the foundation for any career working with children and families.
During the course you gain knowledge in the key areas of • early childhood education • child protection • child development • the health and culture of children under eight years.
As well as your theoretical understanding of these subjects, you develop your professional experience and confidence by working in a range of early childhood environments.
Placements take up around 30 days of the first two years and 20 days of your final year, and are designed to enhance your career prospects after you graduate.
You develop a range of relevant practical skills, such as how to • identify and support children’s individual needs and how to relate appropriately to children • understand play situations in order to develop practice and experiences for young children • listen to children and understand how they think
Your studies are led by experienced and published lecturers who come from backgrounds including social work, health visiting, education and psychology. You take part in small tutorial groups who meet regularly to link practice to what you are learning academically.
You then build on this experience with work-based learning in relevant maintained, private, voluntary and independent settings, including • children’s centres • schools • preschools • day nurseries • outreach workers • child-minders • specialist support groups.