Early Childhood Development and Learning BA (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: X300 - Degree
UCAS Code: X301 - HND

Location

CU London (Dagenham
London)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND

Start date

September 2022
January 2023
February 2023

How to apply
Open days
Download a prospectus
Contact us

Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses

Working with children on educational and personal development is considered one of the most rewarding careers available.

Focusing on development between ages 0-8, this course aims to produce graduates who will raise the quality standard within the early year’s provision by providing training that meets the holistic needs of young children.

Success in this field demands creativity, empathy, logic and a great deal of knowledge alongside the ability to draw upon life experiences. As no two days are the same in this industry, this course focuses on policies, processes, best practices and practical learning to help you understand the key fundamentals of child development.

Why CU London

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

How can we help?

How can we help?

Chat with an advisor now or leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

What you'll study

The Early Childhood Development & Learning degree has been designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required by the industry to develop a career in the early years sector, or undertake postgraduate specialist study.

The course focuses on modern teaching practices with students receiving multi-disciplinary learning to develop key skills such as empathy, interpersonal skills and authoritative expertise.

As you progress through the programme, you will become confident and competent practitioners supporting learning and development of children aged 0-8 years. Establishing creativity, resilience and strategic thinking, you will be equipped with the skills and support necessary for successful entry into the early years sector.

With a child-centred approach, this year is designed to introduce the key concepts and principles within childhood development and learning. Setting the framework for both academic and professional skills, you will gain an understanding of factors that impact upon learning and development from both individual needs to environmental influences for children between the ages of 0 to 8 years. Within the first year you will be introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside a number of other international curricula. Students who complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Early Childhood Development & Learning.

Modules

  • This module examines fundamental core values and principles when working in early years settings, so that collaborative and supportive relationships are formed and sustained. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of communication methods and how to develop effective and resilient relationships with parents, practitioners and professionals.

    Exploring the complexity of relationships, recognising respect, integrity, patience, honesty and reliability. Developing an understanding on how to promote the same values across all working relationships.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enhance the health and wellbeing of children as well as reducing any risk-taking behaviours. You will also analyse the use of the assessment process in order to identify vulnerability and utilise the knowledge and skills of the multi-professional team to ensure the safeguarding and protection of all children. 

    You will be involved in developing your professional practice within an external placement.

    Compulsory

  • This module examines changes that have taken place over the last two centuries within the family structure and the rationale for these differences. These original perceptions of ‘the family’ will be compared against modern day approaches.

    Research suggests that strong families are central to the development of healthy, happy and well-adjusted children.

    Compulsory

  • This module focuses on advocacy for play, and how adults can encourage children to become independent thinkers and problem solvers. Students gain an understanding about why and how children play and the sensitivities needed by practitioners to interact in play and playful experiences.

    You will be involved in developing your professional practice within an external placement.

    Compulsory

As the course progresses, the programme continues to build on knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. Critical appraisal of childhood perception is introduced, alongside evaluations of diversity in development methods. You will analyse the role of statutory guidance for early year’s practice and legislation. Finally, students delve into the global arena, interacting with students from international universities such as Copenhagen University to understand global methods. Students who complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Early Childhood Development & Learning.

Modules

  • This module features a two-week placement enabling you to gain invaluable functional experience of the national curriculum in practice. You will assess its value in promoting children’s learning and development and establish pedagogical knowledge such as classroom organisation, curriculum management and communication through relevant stages.

    Compulsory

  • From Piaget to Vygotsky, theorists over time have developed different perceptions of childhood development. You will explore the evolution of teaching and learning methods in line with postmodern theorists and modern day practices. By the end of this module, you should have critical skills as an autonomous learner and be prepared for industry application.

    Compulsory

  • As part of the Online International Learning (OIL) project, you will communicate with an international university to discuss and compare principle learning in both countries. You will also complete a two-week placement within an early years setting to observe and reflect on the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills.

    Compulsory

  • This module focuses on developing the analytical and personal skills required to research and assess children and families. You will learn a range of research methods such as qualitative and quantitative data, structured interviews, ethical research and observations.

    Compulsory

An optional placement or sandwich year gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. You can also choose to take an optional year abroad between years two and three. If you decide to take advantage of a placement year this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The careers and employability department, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

In the final year, students enter the arena of cultural diversification and management, delving into international perspectives of children. You’ll explore family structures and different environments, analysing and understanding diverse ethnic backgrounds and educational differences. You will be trained at an executive level, learning the skills required to successfully manage a nursery, including key components such as the recruitment of staff and the Management of Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND) requirements. Students who complete the final year are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Development & Learning.

Modules

  • By adopting a critical approach, this module will address issues regarding the effectiveness of policy and practice for the child and family around the world. Delving into wealth and poverty, child exploitation and the impact of conflict and migration on families, you will discuss how socio-economic and environmental incidents can affect the development of children.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you get the chance to personalise your learning by evolving and mastering your own individual type of leadership, such as charismatic, authoritarian and autocratic styles. You develop management and leadership skills that operate within policy, professional, organisational and cultural contexts such as hiring of appropriate staff.

    Compulsory

  • During this module, you will learn about a range of diverse needs, including disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, development delay and physical disabilities, critically analysing the impact of special needs on the child’s development. Furthermore, you will understand safeguarding issues for children with special educational needs. 

    Compulsory

  • This module is an accumulation of the theories, holistic knowledge and practices learned over the duration of the course compacted into a research project of your choice. Choosing any subject covered over the course, you are able to work autonomously, conducting individual research.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Course Breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Practical Assessments

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on a degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Foundation Year
This degree programme has an integral stage 0 attached to it, so if you do not meet the entry requirements you may enter at the foundation level. Successful completion of our Health and Social Care Foundation course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with UK admissions

CU London welcomes international students from all around the globe.

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. Students will be subject to a DBS check before enrolment.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. Upon successful completion our Health and Social Care Foundation course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2) or 6.5 (Degree/Top Up - year 3).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

Chat with International admissions

Tuition Fees

We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.

Student Full time Part time
UK £8,050 per year Not available
International £16,650 per year Not available

Facilities

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment.

You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, which hosts multiple study areas and loanable laptops, fully-equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Our laboratories are home to industry-standard equipment, so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

Careers and opportunities

With an ever-growing demand in the early years sector, graduates from this course have a wide variety of career paths to explore.

Successfully completing our degree means your chances of employment are improved and the level at which you enter the job market could mean a higher salary. Graduates can go on to work in nurseries, the public sector, governing bodies, schools and more.

Where our graduates work

Previous CU graduates have progressed into successful careers within industry, for a number of organisations such as Busy Bees Nursery and Angels Childcare Recruitment.

How to apply

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  • The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time.