This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Inspire future generations on our Early Years Care and Education Foundation Degree. In West Yorkshire alone, childcare roles are among those that have seen the largest growth and employment in recent years (West Yorkshire Combined Authority, 2021). You could be among those securing employment in one of many sectors looking to employ people to work with children including the childcare, charity and voluntary, healthcare, social care, teaching and education sectors. Or you might want to consider working with children in other industries such as law, leisure, sport and tourism and public services and administration. With a work-focused approach, you will gain vital academic skills alongside vital industry experience. Develop your understanding of safeguarding and build on your language development knowledge, whilst learning how to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all. This is the ideal degree to begin your future in childcare roles such as:
- Early years or nursery practitioner
- Nursery Lead
- Nursery Manager
- Childcare or early years assistant
- Classroom or learning support assistant
Modules
You will study 120 credits per year and modules may include: Year 1 (Level 4) Skills for Academic Development (20 credits) Develop your academic research, report writing, presentation, evaluation, and referencing skills that will allow you to succeed on this course. You will also gain practical skills to become a reflective practitioner and effective decision maker. Enabling Learning Environments (20 credits) Gain an understanding of pedagogical practices to support young children’s learning and development. You will develop the skills to provide meaningful learning opportunities through planning supportive environments. Supporting Holistic Development (20 credits) Learn to recognise and plan for all areas of children’s development and to take into consideration the developmental stages and support needs of the child. You will gain knowledge of the theoretical perspectives of development and learning and the established patterns and sequences in children’s learning and development; physical; cognitive; linguistic; emotional and social development. This will include considerations of inclusion and inclusive practices, equality and diversity, and ethical practices. Supporting the Unique Child (20 credits) Further your knowledge of children with additional requirements and identify how to meet their needs promoting an inclusive environment. You will gain the skills and knowledge needed to support children’s individuality to achieve their full potential. Safeguarding (20 credits) You will learn what is meant by safeguarding and how it is fundamental in any childcare profession. Explore and apply key theories, concepts and principles of safeguarding to contemporary practices, to support families within the legislative framework. Developing Pedagogical Practice (20 credits) This module will teach you the best practice in the sector and provide opportunities to help you develop these skills. You will evaluate theory, values and principles when planning learning opportunities for children and young people. You will also gain practical skills through the planning, preparing and delivering of a micro-teach that evidences effective communication and evaluation skills. Year 2 (Level 5) Learning in the Early Years (20 credits) You will explore and critique historical and contemporary developments in technology that have changed the way in which the brain is understood and how children learn and evolve in the early years. Speech and Language Development (20 credits) Through this module you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to enable you to plan and appropriately support the acquisition and development of language in children. Leadership and Management (20 credits) Learn to reflect on your own personal and professional practice whilst developing the ability to identify and resolve issues that arise from working as part of a team. You will also explore key concepts and principles in leadership and management to help you advance in the sector. Research Informed Practice (20 credits) This exciting module enables you to carry out a research project in the childcare sector to enhance professional practice. Social Policy and Families (20 credits) This module is designed for you to acquire knowledge of social policy relating to children and families and to reflect on personal values and how these align with contemporary social policies. Enhancing Professional Practice (20 credits) Within this module you will carry out detailed evaluation of the professional skills and competencies required when working in the sector, and evaluate your own personal and professional skills and knowledge relating to these. You will demonstrate how you have used reflective practice over the duration of the course and be able to provide evidence of your personal, professional, and employability skills as a reflective practitioner.
Assessment method
Assessment methods have been designed in consultation with employers, to reflect the activities you would be expected to do in the workplace and the skills that employers are looking for. Assessment methods may include:
- Observation and planning for children and young people’s learning
- Case studies
- Presentations
- Group discussions
- Evaluations
- Peer reviews
- Work related small scale project
- Reflective journal
- Professional development plan
- Induction booklet
- Micro-teach
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We accept International applications subject to our sponsor licence application being approved.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
A level - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MPP
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MP
T Level
GCSE English (Essential): English Language Grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.. GCSE Maths (Desirable but not essential): Maths Grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs. GCSE (Desirable but not essential): GCSE Science at Grade 4 or equivalent. IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component. International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria. Placements: Employment and placements working within the childcare and early years sector is desired but not essential. DBS checks: Students will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS) prior to commencement on placement. Interviews: A successful interview is required. References: An appropriate reference required. Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.*21 years and over at the start of the course. RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8745 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are charged per academic year.
Provider information
University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College
University Centre Leeds
Park Lane
Leeds
LS3 1AA
Course contact details
Visit our course page Enquiry form