Early Childhood Education Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education at Lincoln Bishop University offers a flexible, blended approach that fits around your work or volunteering commitments. You will take part in live online classes twice a week, supported by five in-person teaching days each academic year. This structure allows you to balance your studies with your professional life, making it possible to continue gaining valuable experience while you learn.

Over two years, you will build on your existing experience of working with young children and apply this directly to your studies. In your first year, you will be introduced to university-level study, explore how children learn, and consider how your practice supports their needs. You will reflect on your role within the early years sector, supporting your professional growth, while studying key topics such as child development and social interactions to strengthen your practical knowledge.

In your second year, you will focus on inclusion, equality and diversity, and learn how to support the development and learning of young children. You will also explore different approaches to teaching and develop your ability to reflect on your own practice.

Throughout the programme, you will have opportunities to collaborate with students from related courses, such as those in schools or youth work. This cross-disciplinary experience will broaden your understanding of working with learners of different ages and in varied settings, helping to strengthen your future career prospects.

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education meets the full and relevant criteria set by the Department for Education and the Graduate Competency requirements of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network. After completing the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education (with Graduate Practitioner), you will have the opportunity to gain a recognised professional accreditation within the early years sector.

Alternatively, you may choose to progress onto the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education without the Graduate Practitioner option, which also meets the Department for Education’s criteria. There are further pathways into teaching, including the option to complete a top-up course in Primary Teaching Studies with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), opening up a range of rewarding career opportunities.