Education: Early Years Teaching and Learning (Graduate Practitioner) BA (Hons)

**Reasons to choose Kingston University**<br/>- We have a long history of delivering work-based learning courses valued by employers. This course can springboard you into employment or progression within a current or new setting whilst developing your skills.<br/><br/><br/>- We will combine your experiences in your workplace or placement with one day a week on campus at Kingston University.<br/><br/><br/>- You will be assessed through a variety of assignments and portfolio building. There are no written exams.<br/><br/><br/>**Why choose this course?**<br/>This degree provides real-world experience in Early Years education through taught content and workplace learning/placements. You will develop critical, analytical and transferable skills that employers value.<br/><br/>Taught sessions are on campus one day a week, with a minimum of 16 hours in paid or voluntary work per week in an appropriate Early Years setting. Applicants not working in the sector, will be provided with a suitable placement.<br/><br/>Our course has been developed for both practitioners and those new to the Early Years sector. There is an emphasis on developing professional practice, play, pedagogical approaches, leadership, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion. There are opportunities for you to develop your own unique interests and philosophy within the programme through cross disciplinary discussions.<br/><br/>Your module learning, teaching and portfolio work align with the working practices outlined in the Early Years Educator criteria (subject to confirmation), Graduate Practitioner competencies and the Early Childhood Studies Subject benchmark.<br/><br/>If you do not already hold Early Years Educator Status from your Level 3 qualification, we offer the pathway: Early Years Teaching and Learning (with Early Years Educator), which is classified as a full and relevant qualification by the Department for Education, subject to approval (UCAS code: X001). This route will enable you to gain the professional Early Years Educator status.<br/><br/>The Graduate Practitioner Competencies (GPC) Pathway allows you to showcase the nine competencies defined by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) in a practical setting. This route empowers you to demonstrate leadership by using your knowledge and skills to apply innovative and critical thinking to a range of professional situations. It helps you to position yourself as a leader, to advocate and promote the best interests of children and their families.<br/><br/>To take part in the Graduate Practitioner Competencies Pathway, during the course you will need to be assessed in your workplace and access alternative placements/work settings/community settings outside your usual place of work, to provide evidence practice across the 0–8 age range (25 days).

Located in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, you'll benefit from excellent transport links to central London and beyond. You'll have access to great employer connections, with Kingston being on the doorstep of hundreds of prestigious businesses.<br/><br/>Kingston University’s commitment to high-quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating (TEF 2023). The University has also secured a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and outcomes categories.<br/><br/>Kingston has invested heavily in dedicated study spaces, cutting-edge sports facilities and specialist equipment. You can hone your trading skills at the Bloomberg Trading Room or create your masterpiece in the modern art facilities. Whatever your chosen course, you'll be supported with modern facilities and passionate lecturers.<br/><br/>You can also get involved in over 70 sports clubs and societies and even start your own society.