Early Years: Teaching and Learning - Top-Up (Graduate Practitioner)

Reasons to choose Kingston


• Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.



• The Graduate Practitioner Competencies (CPC) Pathway offers the opportunity to be assessed in practice to demonstrate you meet the nine Graduate Practitioner Competencies required by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN).



• This qualification is valued by employers and will be a mark of your professional excellence and expertise in the field of Early Years.



• You’ll join our professional community of practice and combine academic study with work-based learning, attending one twilight teaching session per week at Kingston University and select evenings and/or Saturdays to complete your portfolio of evidence.



About this course

If you work in Early Years and have a foundation degree in Early Years (or equivalent) which is full and relevant, this flexible course is ideal for developing your career. Your qualification will be recognised as full and relevant by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network and the Department for Education.

You’ll be able to balance studies with your employment and gain a full BA (Hons) degree as a Graduate Practitioner upon completion of 120 credits and an additional portfolio of evidence.

The course has been designed to enable you to develop key knowledge and skills to enhance your professional role and the quality of your learning in order to make a positive impact in Early Years settings.

By enrolling on the Graduate Practitioner route, you will have ongoing assessment against the criteria in a range of ways as prescribed in the Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmarks (2022) and Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies which are captured within the portfolio of evidence and practical engagement in the workplace.

Key aims of this course is to:

• present a cohesive programme which builds upon a sound underpinning through a full and relevant Graduate Practitioner BA Hons Top Up Early Years route
• be secure in your working knowledge, skills, values and belief systems for Early Years;
• develop your self-awareness and critical reflection of how you interact, relate and respond to others in the environment in which you work;
• develop your ability to understand and apply the principles of evidence-based practice
• provide the opportunity and a suitable basis for the possible progression to Early Years Teacher Status and/or Qualified
Teacher Status, subject to entry requirements of the Department for Education

At Kingston University – the UK’s leading university for Future Skills – they don’t just teach you a subject; they prepare you for career success in a fast-changing world. Whatever course you choose, you’ll develop the Future Skills employers are looking for.

The commitment to every student’s learning and university experience is highlighted by the success in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). One of an elite group of just 26 higher education providers across the United Kingdom awarded Gold ratings in all three TEF categories – a recognition of dedication to delivering outstanding teaching, learning and student outcomes. 

Kingston University is also in a select group of global universities to be recognised as an Adobe Creative Campus and are consistently rated one of the top higher education providers nationally for graduate start-ups. 

They are proud of their beautiful location – you can enjoy the freedom of a safe, relaxing environment across four diverse campuses with plenty to do and within easy reach of Central London and all its attractions.