Early Childhood Education and Care - Foundation Degree (Progression from Certificate HE)*
Summary
The Foundation Degree (FdA) in Early Childhood Education and Care is a two-year, full-time programme designed to prepare you for a rewarding career supporting young children and their families. This course combines academic study with real-world practice to help you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in early years and education settings. This programme has been designed in response to the growing demand for highly skilled early years professionals who can lead practice, support children’s development, and work effectively with families and other professionals.
Over two years, you will gain a strong foundation in child development, safeguarding, and education, before progressing to more advanced study in leadership, pedagogy and service improvement. The course is aligned to the Early Years Lead Practitioner standard, ensuring that what you learn reflects current industry expectations and prepares you to step confidently into the workplace. You will attend classes one day per week, supported by independent study and work-based learning, allowing you to balance your studies with work or other commitments.
This course is ideal if you:
Aspire to work in early years education or childcare settings
Are currently working with children and want to progress into leadership or specialist roles
Want a career-focused higher education pathway with clear progression opportunities
Are interested in working across education, family support and children’s services
Entry Requirements
For a successful offer onto this programme all students will require a GCSE English at grade 4 or C or functional skills at level 2. In addition, applicants ideally should have one of the following:
Certificate of Higher Education Children, Families and Education L4 will enable progression to the L5 FdA Early Childhood Education and Care.
BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or related subject (Merit, Merit, Merit)
Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce (Merit)
T Level Education and Early Years (Merit)
A levels C, C, C (96 UCAS points)
Access to HE Social Science (Merit)
You may also be considered if you are a non-standard student, who has not followed the traditional routes to higher education. If you can demonstrate relevant work/ life skills or knowledge, you will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 4 hours equivalent, term time paid or voluntary work or employment totalling 128 hours in a relevant area is also recommended.
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration / Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11 Sep 2028
|
University Centre
|
1 Year
/
£0
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This programme prepares you for a wide range of roles in the early years and children’s sector. Potential career opportunities include:
Early Years Practitioner or Senior Practitioner
Nursery Room Leader or Manager
Early Years Lead Practitioner
Family Support Worker
Teaching Assistant or Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
There is strong demand for skilled professionals in this field, with employers seeking individuals who can lead teams, support quality improvement, and work across multi-agency environments.
After successfully completing the FdA, you can progress to the BA (Hons) Children, Families and Education (Level 6 Top-up). This creates a clear pathway from entry to degree-level study and beyond.
Employment Opportunities
This programme prepares you for a wide range of roles in the early years and children’s sector. Potential career opportunities include:
Early Years Practitioner or Senior Practitioner
Nursery Room Leader or Manager
Early Years Lead Practitioner
Family Support Worker
Teaching Assistant or Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Key information
Extra costs and equipment
No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. You may wish to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge.
What will I learn?
In your second year, (Level 5) you will develop more advanced knowledge and professional skills in early years practice and leadership. Modules include:
Wellbeing and Interventions
Practitioner Skill Development
Early Years Pedagogy
Work-Based Learning
Leading and Managing Teams
Play, Learning and Development
Throughout the programme, you will apply your learning to real-life scenarios, develop reflective practice, and build the confidence to lead and improve services.
You will experience a range of engaging and practical learning approaches, including interactive lectures and seminars, real-world case studies and simulations, work-based learning and projects with guest speakers from the sector and collaborative group work and peer learning opportunities. Assessments are designed to reflect professional practice and may include presentations, reports, portfolios, and practical projects.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
It is expected that you undertake a minimum of 4 hours per week, during term time, in either paid or voluntary practice within a relevant sector setting and is designed to help you make meaningful connections between your academic learning and real‑world practice.
How will I learn?
A range of student-centred teaching and learning approaches will support your academic development including lectures, which will be scaffolded and deliver the indicative content of the session, supported by teacher led and student centred activities to apply theory to practice. Directed seminars will allow you to engage and develop your confidence, with guest speakers and industry representation from the sector, allowing you to consolidate and develop your learning.
Through individual progress meetings you will be able to discuss and engage in career development activities to provide opportunities for you to focus on applying your learning and experiences in relation to your future career intentions, as well as discuss opportunities to develop your academic skills through specific actions. In addition, content and resources for scheduled career development sessions will be provided by B&FC’s established and experienced Careers Team.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 0 | 288 | 0 |
| Independent | 0 | 882 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 1200 | 0 |
How will I be assessed?
As part of your programme you will study the following modules and undertake the associated assessments.
Wellbeing and Interventions - 30% presentation and 70% report
Practitioner Skill Development - 100% reflective portfolio
Early Years Pedagogy - 50% essay and 50% project report
Work Based Learning - 20% poster presentation and 80% report
Leading and Managing Team - 40% group role play and reflection and 60% essay
Play Learning and Development - 30% presentation and 70% development plan
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0% | 80% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |