Pen Green Centre for children and their families

This Foundation Degree is designed for those already working with children and families to develop their skills and further their understanding.  Being practice based means that you will have the opportunity to tailor the course to your experience and practice.  You will write assignments based on your own practice.

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.

No.  The programme has been structured to meet the needs of students who are working full time. Offered over two years, teaching is delivered across study blocks making it accessible to students in full time employment.

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 120 UCAS points or above)
• 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.

We offer an online portal known as Virtual College which gives you an opportunity to work through tests for Maths and English (at your own pace) in preparation for you eventually sitting the Functional Skills exams. The scores will give an indication as to any particular areas you have to concentrate on. The Functional Skills material offered through Virtual College is designed to cover the underpinning knowledge behind the Functional Skills courses, however it is not designed as a prepare for test course; it is holistic, rather than ‘teach to test’. You can also pull off past papers from the OCR website http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/e-assessment/e-testing/functional-skills/(you select Level 2).

Once you have completed this you can then sit the Functional Skills exam. Maths is an hour and a half paper.

English is made up of three components. A reading paper which is 55 minutes, a writing paper which is also 55 minutes and a speaking, listening and communication assessment.

Exams have to be sat at the Pen Green Research Base as we are the accredited centre for OCR.

Course fees are aligned with University of Hertfordshire programme fees and may vary each year. You can find the current fee information on the relevant course page on our website. You may also be eligible for Student Finance and a Maintenance Loan (please see below).

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan and/or a Maintenance Loan.

A Tuition Fee Loan covers the cost of your course and is paid directly to your university or college. We recommend applying for funding in advance of starting your course.

You can find helpful information about student finance at Save the Student

To apply, visit GOV.UK and complete your application online.

The maintenance loan for students is a means tested loan given to students to help them pay their living costs while studying. Living costs include accommodation, bills, books etc. You only start repaying your Student Loan once you’ve left your course and are earning above a certain threshold.

You can find the application form online.  This will need to be completed and returned to us for us to process your details.

We will process your application here at Pen Green.  If you meet the entry requirements we will invite you for an informal interview.  Following this we will confirm your place on the course.  Your details will be sent to the University of Hertfordshire for their records.  Our courses are accredited by the University of Hertfordshire so they will need your details for online library access and to process your certification on completion of the course.

Once we have received your application and are satisfied that you meet the entry requirements we will invite you to interview. The interview is an informal professional discussion and we will send you the questions beforehand so that you are fully prepared.  It is an opportunity for us to let you know what you can expect from us and what we expect from you.

The programme has been structured to meet the needs of students who are working full time. Offered 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.

See each individual programme for course attendance dates

Our courses offer a unique, community learning experience. We offer small, intimate cohorts and personalised support. On study weeks, students are encouraged to work in pairs and small groups, and to share experiences with their peers.

Study blocks take place in the location where your course is advertised as running. For example, if you join a course based in a particular region, your study blocks will be delivered at that local venue. Once you are registered, the study block location will remain consistent for the duration of your course.

We can supply you with a list of local hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses should you wish to stay in accommodation during your study blocks. We will also supply you with any discount codes that we have to make your stay more affordable.

After each study block you will be expected to undertake self-directed independent study in order to complete the assignment.  You will be given the assignment brief during the study block and will receive tutor support throughout the writing process. You will be encouraged to take an aspect of your practice, reflect on it, consider implications for future practice and draw on relevant theory and literature to support your ideas.  The university recommendations state that 150 – 200 hours self directed learning is given to each module.

The course is run over a two year period in study blocks.

Learning Outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and attributes in the following areas:

• Self as Learner
• Children as Learners
• Pedagogy: Frameworks for Thinking
• Parents’ Involvement in their Children’s Learning
• Working with Parents as Partners
• Curriculum Frameworks:  National and International Perspectives
• Leaderful Learning – Exploring Leadership
• Supporting Families
• Legal and Professional Responsibilities
• Practitioner Research

Programme Aims

The educational aims of the Foundation Degree (Arts) in Integrated Working with Children and Families in the Early Years 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 course is assessed entirely through coursework, with no exams.

Throughout the programme, you will complete a mixture of written and spoken assignments. Module content is taught during the study blocks, where you will also be given the guidance, resources and support needed to successfully complete each assessment.

Written assignments typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 words, and spoken presentations are usually between 5 and 15 minutes in length.

The programme is taught by an enthusiastic, experienced team of tutors from Pen Green. Tutors work as an integrated team, most have roots in early childhood education, primary education, social work, health care and research. All tutors are intent on supporting you as an independent learner and seeing you succeed and grow in confidence, knowledge and understanding as well as develop your practice working with children and their parents.

We are experienced in providing support for practitioners returning to learning through online study networks, library facilities and tutorial support which is offered in between study blocks by telephone or face-to-face. Students both nationally and internationally have successfully studied with us and we know our approach has

proved invaluable in maintaining communication and information sharing without being limited by location.

Yes of course – if you have any further questions we would be happy to talk these through with you.  We run regular Degree Open Days which are a great opportunity to come along and meet the team.  You could also give us a ring or email us and we will talk through any of your queries.