Early Childhood Development and Learning Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

This course is taught from our CU Coventry location.

Early childhood is a vital stage in a child’s development. This course helps you explore how children grow, learn through play and develop within families, communities and wider social contexts. 

You’ll study areas such as child development, safeguarding, health and wellbeing, inclusive practice, pedagogy, sustainability, leadership and international perspectives. You’ll also explore how research, policy and professional practice shape early childhood education and care. 

Practical and reflective learning is built into the course. You'll have opportunities to develop skills in communication, research, critical thinking and professional reflection, helping you connect theory with the needs and experiences of young children, families and early years settings. 

Why you should study this course

Focus on children’s early development 

Explore how children grow, learn and develop from birth to age eight, and consider the factors that can shape their early experiences.  

Understand learning through play 

Examine how play can support children’s curiosity, confidence, communication, movement, problem-solving and understanding of the world. 

Build knowledge for inclusive early years practice 

Develop your understanding of safeguarding, wellbeing, family life, equality, diversity and inclusive relationships in early years contexts. 

Connect theory with practice 

Choose optional placement modules if you want to work towards the ECSDN Graduate Practitioner Competencies and apply your learning in suitable childcare settings. 

Enhance your professional skill set 

We provide optional, university-funded Paediatric First Aid (PFA) training delivered directly on campus outside your timetabled modules, providing an additional qualification that may be useful when undertaking placements or seeking opportunities in early years settings. 

Explore childhood in a wider context 

Consider how early childhood, education, policy and children’s rights are understood across different social, cultural and international contexts. 

Develop research and reflection skills 

Build your ability to examine evidence, reflect on practice and investigate topics linked to childhood development and learning. 

Prepare for future roles 

Develop knowledge and transferable skills that can support roles or further study linked to early years, childhood, education, family support, children’s services or related areas. 

Study one module at a time  

Focus on one 30-credit module over a six-week block with no end-of-year exams. This approach uses practical, exam-free assessments to build your knowledge step by step with regular feedback.

This course is also offered as a degree with foundation year, and includes a sandwich (placement year) option. For the most update to date course details, please visit our website.