Childhood Studies 2012 Entry

Honours Degree

*Subject to validation

If you enjoy working with young children, their families and communities then this course gives you a sound academic and professional base on which to build.

The course gives you everything you need to prepare for a rapidly expanding employment market which demands flexibility, competence and knowledge.

You’ll develop skills which are transferable across different occupational boundaries. Time and opportunity is given to explore all aspects of the development and care of children in the 21st century, including the theory and practice of child development, children within society, early years legislation, contemporary childhood and also to think about roles working within a setting and inter-agency teams.

Throughout the course there’s a strong emphasis on the development of ICT, collaborative and presentational skills. Each year includes a placement in an early years setting.

Some of our modules

Child Development (0-8)
Children’s Language and Literature
Children’s Wellbeing
Creative Learning
Contemporary Childhood
Studying Children (0-8)

Benefits

placement each year
active learning embedded within the course
range of assessments
optional trip to a European country to observe practice

Career paths

can lead to Early Years Professional Status
manager of an early years setting
family support worker
teaching assistant
route to primary teacher training

Are there any placements for this course?

Placements are compulsory twice a year at levels 1 and 2 and once a year for a longer block at level 3.

How will the course be assessed?

Placements are compulsory twice a year at levels 4 and 5 and once a year for a longer block at level 6.

Entry requirements

points for degree: 200-240, using the UCAS tariff system or equivalent qualifications
experience in an early years setting desirable but not essential
ready to study at level 4
applicants will need a satisfactory enhanced CRB disclosure obtained through the University of Gloucestershire prior to any offer from the university being made unconditional
if you are interested in part-time study you should discuss this with the course leader before applying

Location

Francis Close Hall

Study options

Full-time and part-time

Profile: Gary Foxley

The course is full of information about practice in the field and aspects of childhood in relation to government agendas today. It also really helps you to build contacts professionally and socially.

Gary Foxley
Early Childhood Studies

The university is local to me and has a brilliant reputation for teaching practice. Friends of mine had been through the university and highly recommended it. When I came to look around on Open Day, everybody I met was friendly and supportive and the tour of the university was very exciting, showing us communal areas and potential halls of residence. We also got to meet lecturers and were provided with information about the course and the social side at university. The ECS course is coursework-based and relevant to today’s practice and having criteria against which work is assessed is helpful. The course is full of information about practice in the field and aspects of childhood in relation to government agendas today. It also really helps you to build contacts professionally and socially. Lectures provide the theory through audio, kinestetic and visual sessions and using presentations and role-play assessments enables us to think outside-of-the-box, be creative and learn new skills. One of the attractions for me of the university is the large section of teaching resources in the learning centres, eg, in particular children’s books, journals, a wide selection of up-to-date teaching books and the large database of ebooks and ejournals. The work placements are amazing, I have found that you get out what you put in and have had many positive experiences working with children, other nursery staff and parents. It’s uplifting to walk into the setting in the morning to be greeted by classes of children asking for stories and to lead play to enhance their learning. The practical experience gained through placements will help my transition into full-time work. Over the summer I volunteered in Mexico independently and worked within schools and nurseries as a teaching assistant and play worker. I taught English to the children and got involved in their play - it helped me to see the diverse cultural, religious and teaching differences. I am hoping to go on to work in a SEN (Special Education Needs) school and possibly do the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Teaching.

0511-23

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