Early Years Foundation Degree

Semester 1

• Tuesday
  • 1pm to 3pm
  • 4pm to 6pm
  • 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.

Useful books

• Bedford, D. and Wilson, E. (2013) Study skills for foundation degrees. 2nd edn. London: David Fulton Publishers Ltd.
• Lindon, J. (2016) Understanding child development: linking theory and practice. 4th edn. London: Hodder.
• Powell, S. and Smith, K. (2017) An introduction to early childhood studies. London: Sage.

• Tuesday 16 September 2025
• 3:30pm to 6pm
• Room HI103

Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.

Dr Jane Beniston

Jane has worked in primary education for over 10 years, first as a reception class teacher, then moving on to Foundation Stage coordinator, opening a new 60 place nursery and finally acting Head Teacher, in a variety of different schools. Her roles within these schools included RE coordinator and math’s leader within KS1 and KS2. Jane has worked at Birmingham Newman for 20 years teaching across undergraduate, foundation degree and master’s provision within the school of Education. Her main teaching lies within the Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degree programme. Jane also previously led the Early Years Initial Teacher Training programme (EYITT) leading to Early Years Teacher status (EYT). This involved liaison with local settings to provide placements for trainees to teach across babies, toddlers and young children (0-5 age range). She has been at Newman for 20 years. Jane has recently completed her Educational Doctorate exploring the impact of university education on students’ lives.

Kate Dudley

Kate is employed at Birmingham Newman University as a senior lecturer and course co-ordinator on the foundation degree in Early Years and BA (Honours) Early Childhood, Education and Care. Currently the placement co-ordinator for the early year’s undergraduate programs, Kate is passionate about developing students’ knowledge, skills and passion for early years practice. She teaches across a range of modules including Professional Development and Practice, an introduction to Play, Constructions of Childhood and a range of inclusion-based modules. Kate has a passion for inclusive practice and enjoys her role as module leader to support students through their own professional journey.

Kate has gained both a PGCE in post compulsory education and QTLS whilst working at her previous employment of Course Leader at Joseph Chamberlain sixth form college for the level 2 and 3 early years courses. Kate is currently studying for her Education Doctorate with a focus on Gender Expression in Reception school children.

Mark Cronin

Prior to entering Higher Education, I worked as a Children and Families Social Worker in both the statutory sector in a Local Authority Care Management Team in Birmingham and in the voluntary sector for the Sir John Middlemore Charitable Trust in a community-based Family Centre in South Birmingham. I have also worked for a number of other voluntary organisations involved in supporting families and direct work with children and young people including Barnardo’s and St Basil’s. Before commencing my career as a social worker, I studied Psychology with Health Studies at the University of Luton and then completed my diploma in Social Work and MA in Social Work at the University of Birmingham. I am currently registered on the MPhil/PhD programme at the Institute of Education at University College London. My research interests are around Looked After Children/Care Leavers, safeguarding children, Early Years social policy, men in early childhood, constructs of childhood, resilience, emotional literacy and working with children and families.

The Early Years Foundation Degree is a programme designed for those practitioners who work with or intend to work with, young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare and education settings.

It provides access to a higher-level qualification and career development for people working as childminders or in group settings such as reception class, nursery, kindergarten, preschool, community crèche environment or children’s centres.

This programme is for any practitioner working with young children in a public, private, third or independent sector setting who has a commitment to the aims of the course. It has been designed for those with relevant experience or working in the sector, as well as for those seeking progression routes into management positions in early years settings.

Study

In the first semester you will study three modules. The Independent Learner module supports your transition to studying at university and will help you navigate the challenges you may face as an early year’s professional. You will also explore a module on children’s and young people’s development. This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of children’s learning and development. The module will focus on language, cognition, brain, physical, social and emotional aspects of development, including attachment, transitions and self-regulation. Finally, you will explore the constructs of childhood discussing ideas around culture, discourses and historical changes in childhood.