This Foundation Degree is ideal for practitioners working in early years settings, whether that be in paid employment or for those undertaking voluntary experience.
You will gain a strong academic grounding in a range of early years theories, policies and procedures, improving your current knowledge and understanding of early years issues, allowing you to be a more effective and efficient practitioner.
The course will start in September and will take two years, full-time to complete.
This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.
You should hold a level 3 qualification in childcare such as NVQ3, DCE, NND, NNEB, EYE or equivalent. Other Level 3 qualifications must hold 96 UCAS Tariff points or above.
A satisfactory reference from your employer or voluntary organisation is also required.
University Centre St Helens will also support those who are currently unemployed in finding a placement but cannot guarantee a placement will be available.
For students whose education has not been in English, evidence of proficiency in English will be required. Applicants will typically need to have achieved band 6.5 in IELTS (International English Language Testing Scheme) and/or a score of 580 or above in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), completed within two years of the date of application to the FdA in Early Years Practice.
University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.
All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to be an informal meeting and will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.
All prospective students will be advised at the entry stage that they must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess their suitability for access to a range of early years careers. In the event of a disclosure, this must be discussed with the Programme Leader before entry, who will then provide advice relating to placement and future employment criteria within the early years sector.
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.
| Validated By: |  |
|---|---|
| UCAS Code: | X311 |
| Institution Code: | S51 |
| Entry Requirements: | Please see entry requirement section below. |
| Programme Specification: | Tap/click here to view Programme Specification |
| Programme Handbook: | Coming Soon |
| ProgrammeLeader: | Karen Hunt KHunt@sthelens.ac.uk |
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|
| Personal Progression and Development (PPD) – 4501EYSTH – 20 Credits | Reflection in the Early Years – 5501EYSTH – 20 Credits |
| The Developing Child – 4502EYSTH – 20 Credits | Inclusion – 5502EYSTH – 20 Credits |
| Technology in the Early Years – 4503EYSTH – 20 Credits | Leading and Project Managing – 5503EYSTH – 20 Credits |
| The History of Childhood – 4504EYSTH – 20 Credits | Research Enquiry – 5504EYSTH – 20 Credits |
| Working in Partnership – 4505EYSTH – 20 Credits | Safeguarding Practice within the Early Years – 5505EYSTH – 20 Credits |
| Early Years Education – 4506EYSTH – 20 Credits | Health and Wellbeing within the Early Years – 5506EYSTH – 20 Credits |
You will attend University Centre St Helens for two evenings per week, for two years.
The practical side of the degree, whether that be your paid employment or voluntary placement, will allow you to put the theory you are learning in each session into practice. Learning will be theoretical through lectures, workshops, seminars, self-direct study, written work, group work, presentations and guest lectures.
You will be supported by a range of resources including a Uni Hub, a dedicated learning environment for degree students.
Assessment is continuous and facilitated through both formative and summative assessments including written coursework assignments, essays, extended pieces of work, examinations, presentations, portfolios, case studies and reports.
Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate will be issued by Liverpool John Moores University.
Celebrate your incredible achievements at our University Centre St Helens Graduation Ceremony. Join us alongside your family and friends for a day filled with pride, joy, and unforgettable moments. Discover all the details about this special event by visiting our dedicated page: www.sthelens.ac.uk/graduation.
You will also be given the opportunity to attend Liverpool John Moores University Graduation Ceremony at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Visit their Graduation page for more information: ljmu.ac.uk/students/graduation
For 2025 entry, tuition fees for full-time (evening study) are £5,995 per year. Fees should be paid directly to the College.
| Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits | Only applicable if on work placement and not employed. Public transport costs will be required to and from placement.You will be required to complete a DBS check, which will cost around £44. |
|---|---|
| Equipment and Materials | Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library or online via Liverpool John Moores’ Moodle and Library Services. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. All assignments are submitted through Turnitin. Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks. |
| Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development | Variable depending on type of activity. |
Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront and there’s nothing to pay back until you’re qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.
All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.
For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page.
Upon successful completion of this Foundation Degree, you may choose to progress into a higher position within an early years setting, or on to the BA (Hons) Early Years Practice with University Centre St Helens. As a graduate, you have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, such as:
Apply online through UCAS using institution code S51 and course code X311.
Would you like to speak to someone before making your decision?
Call 0800 99 66 99 or email ucshadmissions@sthelens.ac.uk and our team will be more than happy to help.
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