FdA Children's and Young People's Services

Start date: September and January

Course length: Three to five years part time

Campus: Vision West Nottinghamshire College; Loughborough College; Central College Nottingham; Leek College; Chesterfield College; Derby College; or Stephenson College.

Faculty: Education, Health and Science

We’ve developed this course with employers in the sector. We’ll help you to become a more confident, knowledgeable and effective practitioner working with children, young people and their families. You will need to be working in the sector two days per week or have a relevant vocational level 3 qualification and be doing two days voluntary work in the sector.

A foundation degree in our early years pathway is considered full and relevant for the purposes of registration and regulation for the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). This means that if you hold this qualification you can count in the qualified ratio of staff at level 3. 

You'll study core and pathway (option) modules and you'll select one of the following pathways to specialise in the area you work.

• Early Years
• Teaching Assistant

You'll be able to reflect on your practice and enhance this through the theory you learn. Your work setting is used for work-based projects, activities and research so everything you study will be relevant to your everyday work. You'll also have the support of a work-based Mentor at your workplace, plus the support of tutors at the University.

The course is flexible to suit you, you can study during the day, in the evening and at weekend study days, although some routes require you to attend specific days for specialised lectures. You'll study a mixture of theory and practical work.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

• Starting to Study
• Equality and Diversity
• Integrated Services
• Work-based Reflective Practice 1

And you'll choose one of these modules:

• The Curriculum 0-19
• Children and Young People Communicating
• Investigating and Solving Problems

And either:

• Supporting Teaching and Learning (Teaching Assistant Pathway)
• Early Years Provision and Practice (Early Years Pathway)

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

• Understanding Behaviour
• Work-based Reflective Practice 2
• Children's, Young People's and Family Rights
• Research Methods and Practice

And you'll choose one of these modules:

• Working with Parents and Carers
• Children and Young Peoples Health and Wellbeing
• Bringing Men into Children's and Young Peoples Services
• International Perspectives
• Inclusive Education

And either:

• Teaching Assistant Research (Teaching Assistant Pathway)
• Early Years Research (Early Years Pathway)

Our entry requirements are usually 80 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course, we also accept these qualifications.

You should already be working in the sector for two days per week, or have a relevant vocational level 3 qualification, and be doing two days voluntary work in the sector.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university. You'll need to come in for an interview, before we can make an offer.

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• £965 per module (you usually take 12 of these modules in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

You will learn through reflective tasks, presentations, tutorials and online resources. Your work-based projects, activities and research mean everything you study will be relevant and allow you to link theory to practice. You will also be supported by a mentor at your workplace and the tutors at the University.

How you're assessed

There are no exams, so you will be assessed using your work-based activities, creative presentations, essays, discussion papers, case studies and portfolios.

There's a growing demand for highly qualified practitioners working in children's and young people's services, so you'll be well placed to get a job when you graduate. You'll have the knowledge, understanding and professional skills to progress in your practice and make an impact on service provision.

After completing this course you'll have the opportunity to progress on to Stage 3 of an honours degree, either a taught course or through a work-based online course. You can then progress on to other professional courses such as the Early Years Teacher or take an initial teacher training qualification.

In recent years many of our graduates have:

• Moved ahead in their vocational field - they are in senior roles, leading practice and settings.
• Continued on to achieve a BA Honours degree in Child and Youth Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Education Studies, Joint Honours with Science, Health and Social Care or Applied Youth and Community Studies.
• Continued on to a teacher training course and are now teaching.

Katie Wells, one of our current students comments about the course:
"The tutors offer endless support over the phone, via email and in tutorials. They are always encouraging and motivating."