Are you interested in working with young children in a Nursery or Early Years setting? Then our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at Birmingham Newman University is registered with the DfE as having ‘full and relevant status’, which is particularly advantageous to graduates employed in early years settings, in counting towards the staff : child ratios.

Early childhood, the quality of education, provision and care, and the roles and responsibilities of all those involved with young children, parents and families, all have a significant influence on children’s achievement and life chances. The last decade has seen the wider development of early years provision, changes and challenges in aspects of education and care, and the recognition that early childhood and children’s experiences must be supported by a highly qualified workforce. Government legislation, policy and research have raised the profile of early childhood, education and care and established the requirement for recognised professional qualifications for all those working in the field of early years in public, voluntary and private sectors.

This course is subject to revalidation.

The programme is designed for students interested in working with young children aged 0-8 years. It offers a course that provides breadth and depth in key aspects relating to childhood, child development, education and care but also integrates a wider thematic approach which includes families, communities, multi-agency working, social policy, inclusion and diversity, research and health. It will develop your knowledge, skills, understanding of these, and your generic transferable skills through course content, learning and teaching strategies, assessment, research, and experiences of early years settings and organisations.

The first year of the programme introduces aspects of child development, social policy, equality, rights and diversity, constructs of childhood, play and the early years curriculum. During the second year there is a work based placement which enables you to gain valuable experience working in an early years setting with children 0-5. The placement experience has proved significant for students’ future career choices. There are also opportunities for international placements.

The course has optional modules at Intermediate and Honours level that enables students to undertake a particular theme, for example, Discourses of Education, Inclusive Practice, Enabling Early Learning, and Health and Social Policy. In the final year of studies you will carry out a small scale research study for your dissertation.

Student achievement is assessed through a wide range of methods. These include essays, research reports, case studies, group and individual presentations, reflective accounts and seminars. Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, discussion and debate, presentations, guest speakers, workshops, an e-learning environment, visits and directed activities.

• Strong links with Early Years settings and providers across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen,

• This degree is registered with the DfE as having ‘full and relevant status’, which is particularly advantageous to graduates employed in early years settings, in counting towards the staff:child ratios.

• Opportunities to study abroad

• Opportunities to participate in the Student-Staff Partnership Projects

• Academic partnership projects – looking to enhance an aspect of the broad student learning experience
• Research partnership projects – integrating students as researchers in their subject discipline
• Community partnership projects – engaging with the wider community

• Work placement to enhance career opportunities

Early years is a developing area of the economy, therefore there are a wide range of career opportunities for qualified professionals in the field of early years. This includes working in Children’s Centres, SureStart settings, schools, nurseries, Social Services, Local Authority support teams, and charitable organisations. Previous students have gone on to work as nursery managers and deputy managers, inclusion workers, early years advisory workers, Foundation Stage practitioners, charity workers, and with specific organisations working with parents, families and communities. Others have pursued a teaching career through a PGCE or School Direct.

This degree is registered with the DfE as having ‘full and relevant status’, which is particularly advantageous to graduates employed in early years settings, in counting towards the staff: child ratios at level 3.

Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.