Early Childhood Studies

Early childhood is an exciting and rewarding field to explore. Children and their families navigate a complex world shaped by factors such as trauma, adverse childhood experiences, gender identity, digitalisation, globalisation, sexualisation, inequality, and poverty – all of which impact their experience. 

Together, we delve into these issues through psychology, sociology, mental and physical health, education, social care, government policy, and media.

This course equips you with essential skills to work with children (ages 0-8) and families, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Inclusion and inclusive practice are central to all aspects of the course. 

You’ll be able to tailor your future career by focusing on areas such as children’s mental health and wellbeing, education and lifelong learning, SEND, or outdoor learning. 

You’ll also gain certified paediatric first aid and safeguarding qualifications as part of your studies. 

From day one, you’ll be supported by friendly and experienced lecturers and pastoral staff who take the time to really get to know you. You’ll have a personal tutor ensuring you have the support and skills to achieve your academic and professional goals. 

Ready to take the next step in your journey? Join us and make a real impact in the lives of children and their families. 

This degree offers a dynamic learning experience with sector-relevant module content designed to equip you with the skills needed for the profession.  

Your teaching and assessments are aligned with the Early Childhood Studies Graduate Practitioner Competencies, ensuring you are fully prepared to meet sector standards and requirements. 

The course blends lectures and seminars providing a perfect mix of structured contact time and self-directed study, allowing you to balance academic learning with independent exploration.  

Placements provide invaluable hands-on experience that allows you to apply theory in real-world settings, develop essential professional skills, and build the confidence needed for a successful career working with children and families. 

Assessments are varied and focus on sector-relevant skills, essays, portfolios, website content, presentations, reports, and placement reflections – no exams! 

Guest lecturers from the sector bring real-world insights, enriching your education with up-to-date expertise. 

Graduates from this course are able to pursue a wide range of rewarding career paths including managing an early years setting or children’s centre, special educational needs and disabilities practitioner or education mental health practitioner.  

They can also progress to a range of careers including social prescriber, family support worker, local authority safeguarding assistant and paediatric occupational health assistant. 

This degree’s versatility extends beyond the undergraduate level. It enables you to pursue postgraduate qualifications in education, mental health, teaching, occupational health therapy, speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and policy advising, broadening your career opportunities. 

Our graduates often return to share their career successes, presenting their experience in roles such as neonatal nursery nurses, family refuge centre practitioners, family support workers, teachers, and play therapists, showcasing the diverse and impactful careers our students can build.