Education and Early Childhood Studies Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

The FdA Education and Early Childhood Studies programme has two distinct pathways. These pathways ensure that the Foundation Degree is comprehensive and responsive to the varied needs of the education sector. They prepare students for a range of roles, enhancing their career prospects and enabling them to make a significant impact on children’s lives. The FdA addresses the growing demand for qualified early years practitioners and to plug the shortage of qualified educators including teachers which subsequently supports the local economy by providing accessible higher education opportunities. Early childhood education is crucial for the development of children and has long-term benefits for society.

Two pathways, one course and one application. Each pathway has its own modules, alongside the core modules everyone takes.

The Early Years Educator pathway is aimed at individuals passionate about nurturing and educating young children, as it equips them with the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies to support the developmental needs and early learning experiences of children from birth to age five.

The Learning Support pathway is aimed at Teaching Assistants, to enable them to apply for the higher-level paid jobs and developing their confidence to eventually apply for Teacher Training on completion of a Top Up programme.