Early Childhood Studies

This course is accredited by the University of Warwick

OVERVIEW
Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. If you are passionate about working with young children and their families, our Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) degree will give you the knowledge and experience to become a highly qualified graduate practitioner and open the doors to a rewarding career helping to meet the needs of children.

Covering work with children aged 0-8 years, our course offers the special benefit of being one of the first Early Childhood Studies degrees in the UK – and the only one in the Birmingham area – to include the new Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Awarded in your final year, these demonstrate your holistic understanding of early childhood and your ability to critically apply knowledge to practice. By adding Graduate Practitioner Competencies to your final award, you’ll be at the forefront of graduate practice and have new opportunities to strengthen your employability, as well as for progression onto postgraduate academic programmes or professional training in everything from teaching to social work and play therapy.

Our course will teach you about key characteristics of childhood and how to meet the developmental needs of young children, including wider topics such as inclusion, health, safeguarding, and leadership. You will also gain extensive work experience across a variety of placements and go on visits to observe different childhood approaches first-hand, as well as having opportunities for additional qualifications and enrichment activities including Makaton training, Paediatric First Aid, introductory Lego therapy, and baby massage sessions.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
- Work placements – From day care and nurseries to primary school mentoring and special education, gain real-life experience on a variety of placements throughout your degree


- Enrichment – Widen your skills with enrichment opportunities such as Lego therapy, Makaton training, baby massage, Paediatric First Aid, and food hygiene


- Industry approved – Our course includes the Graduate Practitioner Competencies developed by the ECSDN (now included in the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the DfE)


PLACEMENTS
Our course includes a mandatory requirement of 200 hours on placement each year. Year 1 and 2 placements will focus on early childhood (ages 0-8) while the Year 3 placement will be determined where possible by your eventual career choice.

Employers we have worked with include Aston University Nursery and Pre-school, Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies, Arden Primary School, Queen Alexandra College, James Brindley Parkway, Little Scallywags Day Nursery and St Thomas Centre Nursery.

CAREERS AND PROGRESSION
Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:
• Early years teacher/primary school teacher



• Learning mentor



• Family support worker



• Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)



• Social worker (NHS)



• Mental health nurse



You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.


- Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course

Investing £300 million in its campuses, University College Birmingham is all about degrees that get you hired and practical support to get you through.

Its higher education qualifications are hands-on and shaped by the needs of industry, all taught by experienced industry experts across its seven campuses in the heart of Birmingham, a hub of business districts, nightlife, cultural attractions, parks and entertainment.

Some courses have a 2 Day Degree option, meaning you only have to be on-campus two consecutive days a week, freeing up the rest of the week for work, caring responsibilities and other commitments.

The university works with over 1,000 employers to benefit students, is accredited by top industry bodies and organisations, and is a centre for excellence across a range of subjects. As well as a £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance, it also offers Kick-Start funding of up to £800 a year to help pay for expenses such as uniform, food and drink.

Register your interest today and secure your place at University College Birmingham!