Katie’s Early Childhood Studies Experience

“Hi, I’m Katie, one of the Early Childhood Studies students. I have completed my second year on the course.

When coming to the open days and speaking to the lecturers, I could instantly tell how supportive and friendly the university and course lecturers were. Such a variety of modules are offered which highlight the various jobs that I can pursue – so this was a key reason for choosing the Early Childhood Studies course.

I have so far loved every moment and opportunity that has been thrown my way at the University of Gloucestershire. It is crazy to think that I only have one year left to complete! I commute to university and study Early Childhood Studies and cannot express how much I love my course. My lecturers are so friendly and supportive, whilst the placement experiences and varied module topics are valuable and incredibly fascinating.

In the first year, I loved the ‘Special Educational Needs (SEN)’ module. This was a valuable module to support my understanding of SEN development and I could apply the skills and theories I had learnt in an SEN setting I was placed in.

In my second year I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Promoting Competent Learners’ module, as this taught me ways in which I can support children’s confidence in themselves and the skills needed to aid young children’s maths and early literacy development.

Some of the modules focus on forest schools and in the first year we had Level One training in forest school – where we were able to attend and interact in a forest school setting at a nearby school!

I am so excited to visit Sweden next year. A main focus of the trip is attending forest school, which is something I adore and I believe it truly is one of the best ways in ensuring children develop into not just physically healthy beings, but children who have the confidence to be themselves and have a good understanding of their outside world.

As we are a small course, lectures are often hugely interactive and engaging! In a typical lecture we will be taught by the lecturer and initially we make notes and listen to the information given. Then we always have opportunities to ask questions and are often put into small groups or pairs to discuss and elaborate on points made. My favourite lecturers involve planning and doing the activities children would get involved in. For example, during the Creative and Thinking Child module – as a group we had a go at creating our own art pieces in time to different types of music!

In my first year I was on placement for two 3-week blocks. This was a preschool setting and I also spent a few days with a KS1 class. I loved every moment of it. Being able to apply the knowledge and skills I had learnt in the Child Development module was so brilliant, as I gained professional skills and widened my understanding of the ways in which I could work with preschool children.

During my first-year placement I interacted with the children and had the opportunity to attend staff meetings. I also carried out several observations on children to help me and other staff understand the developmental level of children and how to support them to reach developmental milestones.

In my second year I had a three-week placement at an SEN school and a further 3 week placement at a preschool – where most of the learning experiences occurred outdoors, in a forest school type environment. Emphasis was placed on child-led learning and I found this fascinating as it is something our course focuses on. I led activities with children by setting up provocations which used natural sensory sources to ignite curiosity and creativity.

I have received so much support on my course. I have a personal tutor with whom I have regular face-to-face meetings. She offers support, be it academic or emotional, and she is always there in lectures and via email to check up on me. We also have a key skills modules in the first year to support us in writing assignments. We are a small course, but we all look out for each other.”