Foundation Degree Early Years Pedagogy

Course Overview

Watch our course leader’s recent webinar here

This exciting course has been created by highly-experienced lecturers in response to early years educators and primary school teachers who recognise the need to bring more playful and fresher, developmentally-appropriate approaches to the teaching and learning of young children.

This award is validated by The Open University.

This course is Sector Endorsed by SEFDEY, a professional association in the Early Years sector.

Entry Requirements

Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent such as play work or health and social care. (T-Levels in Education and Childcare/Health will be considered under this category).

And/or

A-Levels in relevant subjects will also be considered.

Normally two years’ experience in an appropriate setting is required but we will consider school leavers / Level 3 progressors who may already have appropriate experience and supported by strong evidence.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is available as an entry route for those with a background in the sector but lacking formal qualifications.

Acceptance onto the course is subject to interview.

In addition to the above all candidates are required to evidence suitability for the course (from either their work-based setting or where they volunteer) with a professional reference, confirming that the setting is fully supportive of completing the programme. Evidence of this is required with a signed agreement.

What the course covers

Watch our course leader’s recent webinar here

This course is designed for people currently working in Early Years and Key Stage 1 who work in an appropriate setting with children aged between 0 : 8 years (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week.

This exciting course has been created by highly experienced lecturers in response to early years educators and primary school teachers who recognise the need to bring a more playful and fresher developmentally appropriate approaches to the teaching and learning of young children. It is for people who wish to‚Øbring graduate leadership to settings to support the development of playful pedagogy for transformational learning with young children.

You could be working in the private or voluntary sector, or in a school. The course is suitable for a range of roles within day care, play groups, before and after school clubs, primary schools, children’s centres, family support services, special education needs education, as a nanny or childminder or in early years advisory services.

This is a two-year higher education degree course that is run in collaboration with the Open University. The course enables you to combine academic study with work-based learning and develops sound theoretical and practice-based knowledge. It combines rigorous academic standards with the opportunity to experiment and develop ideas and practices that will excite children and stimulate their natural curiosity and motivation to engage through playful learning.

The course covers a wide range of theoretical perspectives and current issues in early years education and explores international perspectives and contemporary developments and challenges within the sector.

Modules: Year 1

• Reflective Learners in Early Year
• Playful Pedagogy
• Child Development and Playful Learning
• Parents and Carers as Partners

Modules : Year 2

• Curriculum Frameworks: Global Perspectives
• Children’s Welfare Legal and Professional Responsibilities
• Digital Pedagogy and Communication Skills
• Leading Change: Influencing Practice Through Research.

Learning is assessed via a mix of written submissions and presentations. There are no exams.

Students are typically taught in class sizes of 16 or fewer.

More information

The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards

Open University Students Guide

Full programme specification

Fees and funding

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Annual Fees: £7,000 (UK Student) (£7,500 International Student)

Concession: NO
Government Subsidised: NO
Student Loan Available: YES (Higher Education funding available)

Full fee information here

Fees are for 2026/27 entry and are for UK students of all ages. For more information about financial support for students, please click here.

Teacher Trainees without a portable DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check are required to undergo a DBS. A charge of £52 is levied at enrolment. Full time students are able to add the cost of the DBS to their student maintenance loan.