Free online learning for adults: click here

Foundation Degree in Early Years Pedagogy
(0-8 years)

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

Course Summary

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.

Nescot is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.

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

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.

On successful completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree, students can progress onto a work-based learning BA (Hons) Top-up programme or  PGCE, which could lead to either Early Years Teacher Status, Qualified Teacher Status.

Fees for Academic Year 2024/25

Annual Fees: £6,800

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

Full fee information here

Fees are for 2024/25 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.

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 bring 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

Full programme specification 

The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards

Open University Students Guide

Click here to go to our university-level information and support pages.


Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2024. The web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these pages is helpful, fair and accurate at the time of printing. However, this information is subject to change over time.

Nescot will take reasonable steps to provide the courses and services as described, however, the College cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Some circumstances, such as staff changes, resource limitations and other factors over which the College has no control, such as industrial action or a change in the law or the level of demand for a particular programme or module (please note that this list is non-exhaustive), may result in the College having to withdraw or change aspects of the programmes, modules and/or student services detailed on the website. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, programme/module content, staffing, the location where the programme/module is taught or the manner of teaching delivery, and the facilities provided to deliver or support the programme. Where circumstances demand an unavoidable change or where it is necessary for the College to discontinue a programme of study, Nescot will take all reasonable steps to minimise the effect and all proposed changes will be notified to potential applicants who have registered an interest in the relevant programme at the earliest possible opportunity as well as being reflected on the College’s website. In addition, any changes between the website and the proposed course and services will be notified to applicants at the time of making an offer.

All prices quoted may be subject to change and you will be notified of any such change when any offer of a place is made to you by Nescot.

Should you become a student of the College, this notice shall be a term of any contract between you and Nescot. Any offer of a place at the College shall be subject to the student enrolment conditions and the College’s rules and regulations as amended from time to time. A copy of the Nescot’s current terms and conditions can be obtained in writing from Nescot, Quality Office, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Last updated - 10/10/2023

Overview

  • Course Code:

    N4663

  • Study type:

    Full Time

  • Award:

    Foundation Degree in Early Years Pedagogy

  • Awarded by:

    Open University

  • Course length:

    Attendance in College is on Thursdays, 3.30pm – 8.00pm. 30 weeks per year for 2 years.
    (The course is classified as 'full-time' due to the work-based aspect and that all the assignments are practice-focused.)

    End Date: June 2026

  • Start date:

    September 2024
Apply now
  • Course Code:

    N4663

  • Study type:

    Full Time

  • Award:

    Foundation Degree in Early Years Pedagogy

  • Awarded by:

    Open University

  • Course length:

    Attendance in College is on Thursdays, 3.30pm – 8.00pm. 30 weeks per year for 2 years.
    (The course is classified as 'full-time' due to the work-based aspect and that all the assignments are practice-focused.)

    End Date: June 2026

  • Start date:

    September 2024

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.

On successful completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree, students can progress onto a work-based learning BA (Hons) Top-up programme or  PGCE, which could lead to either Early Years Teacher Status, Qualified Teacher Status.

Fees for Academic Year 2024/25

Annual Fees: £6,800

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

Full fee information here

Fees are for 2024/25 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.

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 bring 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

Full programme specification 

The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards

Open University Students Guide

Click here to go to our university-level information and support pages.


Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2024. The web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these pages is helpful, fair and accurate at the time of printing. However, this information is subject to change over time.

Nescot will take reasonable steps to provide the courses and services as described, however, the College cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Some circumstances, such as staff changes, resource limitations and other factors over which the College has no control, such as industrial action or a change in the law or the level of demand for a particular programme or module (please note that this list is non-exhaustive), may result in the College having to withdraw or change aspects of the programmes, modules and/or student services detailed on the website. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, programme/module content, staffing, the location where the programme/module is taught or the manner of teaching delivery, and the facilities provided to deliver or support the programme. Where circumstances demand an unavoidable change or where it is necessary for the College to discontinue a programme of study, Nescot will take all reasonable steps to minimise the effect and all proposed changes will be notified to potential applicants who have registered an interest in the relevant programme at the earliest possible opportunity as well as being reflected on the College’s website. In addition, any changes between the website and the proposed course and services will be notified to applicants at the time of making an offer.

All prices quoted may be subject to change and you will be notified of any such change when any offer of a place is made to you by Nescot.

Should you become a student of the College, this notice shall be a term of any contract between you and Nescot. Any offer of a place at the College shall be subject to the student enrolment conditions and the College’s rules and regulations as amended from time to time. A copy of the Nescot’s current terms and conditions can be obtained in writing from Nescot, Quality Office, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Last updated - 10/10/2023

Ask a question

Ask a question about your application, the course or anything else to do with Nescot here, and our team will get back to you. 

Ask a Question
Back to top