The Foundation Degree (Arts) Early Childhood & Education (Integrated Working with Families and Children) is designed for those who wish to combine study with other commitments. The course provides an opportunity to develop a range of vocational, academic and personal skills which will be of value in your practice in the workplace. For those who wish to take their study further, the degree will also offer a preparation towards an Honours Degree and is a recognised key pathway towards Teacher Training. The course includes essential personal and professional skills, building on participants’ capacities for future careers and further study.
This course is completed over two years in flexible one-week study blocks, taught face to face in Northamptonshire or online. It is both a rigorous academic and a coherent vocational qualification, drawing heavily on work-based learning.
The course is open to all those engaged in working directly with children and families or involved in early childhood services, with appropriate qualifications and experience.
The programme has been structured to meet the needs of students who are working full time. Offered as a full time course over two years, teaching is delivered across six study blocks amounting to 30 days in total.
We believe this mode of study enables students to focus fully on their learning during the study blocks, enhancing the overall teaching experience. It reduces regular travel and offers students more flexibility managing their learning than is usually available.
This Foundation Degree is based on a practitioner researcher approach, which means you will carry out considerable elements of study in your own workplace. Each module starts with a study block, following which students complete their research and assignments back in their own settings.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and attributes in the following areas:
The educational aims of the Foundation Degree (Arts) Early Childhood & Education are for students to be able to:
- Have an awareness of their own strengths and development needs through reflecting on themselves as learners and pedagogues
- Recognise children as independent learners and be able to identify underlying principles and theoretical concepts in early childhood education
- Work effectively with families and practitioners, sharing information and ideas and modifying their own responses to situations in the light of reflection
- Undertake practice based research, collect and synthesise information using appropriate techniques to raise questions and inform practice development
- Use interpersonal and communication skills to support effective team working and to respond with professional responsibility to a range of situations
The entry requirements for the programme are;
- A relevant level 3 qualification in Child Care, Health and Social Care, or other related subject area (equivalent to 48 UCAS points or above)
- Typically, at least 2 years experience working with children and on-going work experience in either a paid or voluntary role
- A letter of support from an employer or organisation providing work experience (provided as a reference on the application form)
- All applicants will be interviewed to ensure work experience is relevant
- Maths GCSE at grade 3 or above and English Language GCSE at grade 4 or above or equivalent qualifications.
The programme is subject to the University’s principles, policies and regulations for the admission of students to undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes, along with associated procedures. These will take account of university policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certified learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).
2026 course fees £6,356 per year.
Applicants should check with their local authority or employer about potential funding options.
You may also be eligible for a Maintenance Grant and/or Student Loan. If you are a first time student, you may be eligible for Student Loan Company funding who will make payments directly to the teaching body of your behalf. You should apply for funding in advance of commencing your course.
Further details are available on the Student Loan Company website and on the Students section of our website.
Please note that all applications should come directly to Pen Green.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us by phone on 01536 443435 or email.
To apply, complete the Degree Application Form and email it to us. If you have any difficulties, please contact us.
Along with your application form, please send electronic copies of your certificates to demonstrate that you meet the course entry requirements. If a qualification is pending, please state this on your application.
Once we have received all the relevant paperwork to support your application we will invite you to interview. You will then be allocated a place on the course if you meet all the entry requirements.
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