About the programme

This BA (Hons) degree takes a broad-based, holistic approach to studying the early years of childhood, covering the years from birth to 8 years old. You’ll take a truly multidisciplinary approach to the subject, looking at the systems and ideas which affect the experience and construction of childhood – including structural, institutional, personal and cultural aspects.
Our childhood has a profound influence on how we develop, so anyone who works with young children needs to understand this crucial stage of life. This degree will help give you a deeper understanding of the changes children are going through, both physically and mentally.
Whether you’re already working with children, and want to understand more of the theory of childhood development, or you’d like to get into this fascinating and rewarding field, this is the degree you need. As well as preparing you to work as anything from a nursery worker to a childcare project manager, this degree is an excellent springboard into professional qualifications such as children’s nursing or social work.

Programme modules:

Level 1

• Critical Reading and Writing
• Introduction to Early Childhood Studies
• Sociology of Childhood
• Play and Talk in Learning
• Children Learning: Current Thinking
• Understanding Behaviour

Level 2

• Research Design and Method
• Professional Development
• Issues in Child Development
• Social Policy and Legislation for Children and Families
• Sociology of the Family
• Challenging Disability

Level 3

• Research Project
• Management in Early Years Settings
• Explaining Behaviour
• Inclusion
• Computer Mediated Communication

Learning materials

This programme is offered on a distance-learning basis allowing you to select your learning environment – be it at home, office or a public library. Learning materials are presented in the format of textbooks with specially written Study Guides containing interactive activities; feedback is provided to enable you to monitor your own progress.
Student / student discussion and student / tutor discussion opportunities are available via our Online Student Community Website. Additional learning resources include access to ATHENS and UK Libraries Plus system.

Assessment and examinations

There are two opportunities each calendar year at which to take exams or submit final assessments. There is an expectation that students require this first year to "learn how to learn". This means that the degree award only draws on marks in level II and III for the final classification.
For Single and Major Pathways a Project module is compulsory at level III. This allows students the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt on their programme.

Duration

Each module requires 200 study hours (approximately six months) but you can study more than one module at a time.

Award

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies on successful completion of the full programme. You can also study individual modules, or gain an Ordinary BA degree, a Diploma of Higher Education, a Certificate of Higher Education, a University Undergraduate Certificate or a University Undergraduate Associate Certificate depending on the number of modules completed.