Career in Health & Social Care

Early Childhood Studies - Certificate of Higher Education

Summary

The Certificate in Higher Education is aimed at those individuals that are already working in early years settings on either a paid or voluntary basis.

The Certificate in Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies will develop your knowledge of the theoretical principles and contemporary issues that underpin early years practice.  It provides you with the opportunity to develop confidence and an understanding of the wider social, political and economic issues related to the care and development of young children. It will also develop the skills and attributes needed to further your career prospects and development in such roles as early years practitioner, room leader, SENCO, early years community connector or family hub support worker. The programme of study has a mandatory requirement of employment or placement to ensure that you have the opportunity to apply theory and concepts learned in the classroom environment to practice.

Blackpool and the Fylde College remains committed to providing a highly responsive curriculum that is employment and future-focused and will enable you to develop the essential knowledge and skills that will prepare you for future success in work and life.

  • Course code SM1HE130
  • UCAS code L521
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Monday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
  • 86,694 Annual job openings in the North West
  • £25,650 Average annual salary
  • Well-resourced onsite training equipment

What Uni Reviews

Really enjoyed my time at uni, the tutors have unconditional support for all students. *****
- Jessica Halliwell
Amazing course. Learnt so much, tutors are fantastic. *****
- Kelly Broadbent
Tutors and HELMs are fantastic! *****
- Bethany Daniels

Tutor Profile - Francoise Peill

Area of Expertise:
Early Years, Children and Families, Safeguarding and Multi-disciplinary Working, Child Health and Wellbeing, Third Sector Strategic Management.

Enjoys teaching at B&FC because:
Education has the power to change lives and transform local communities and it's amazing when you encounter this life-changing effect within your own classroom.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

On completion of the Certificate in Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies you may wish to progress to the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Key information

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 48 UCAS points in an appropriate discipline:

  • PPP from Extended Diploma or MP from Diploma in Early Years
  • Pass from Early Years Educator Level 3
  • English Language grade C/4 or Functional Skills Level 2. If not achieved you must work towards and achieve this in your first year of study

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Additional Requirements:

  • All applicants must provide a letter of support from their employer confirming proposed work experience
  • 12 months hands on experience in the workplace with children (does not include administration)
  • You must hold a current DBS

A professional discussion may be required prior to offer if you do not meet the exact entry criteria

There is a mandatory requirement of a minimum of 6 hours a week of paid or voluntary work in a childcare care setting up until the end of the foundation stage curriculum. Proof of this will be required before commencing the programme.

Qualification obtained

CertHE Early Childhood Studies

Fees and funding

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with the programme although a laptop is recommended to support your studies.  You may be required to pay for a DBS where you secure a voluntary or paid employment.

All core texts are available in the LRC along with IT support.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This covered in the mandatory voluntary or employed hours in the sector as indicated in the Entry Requirements.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    The History of Early Education from Pioneers to Contemporary Practice SM4MD180 20 No
    Applying and Reflecting on the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stages Eyfs SM4MD181 20 No
    Safeguarding in the Early Years SM4MD182 20 No
    Challenging Inequalities in Childrens Lives SM4MD183 20 No
    Sustainability Education and Action for Change SM4MD184 20 No
    Professional and Academic Skills Health and Education SM4MD203 20 No

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Study Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

Student case study - Shirley Khan

Why did you choose B&FC?
I looked at different courses but realised I needed to start from scratch with my GCSEs to build the right entry qualifications. Going to B&FC meant I could study all the qualifications I needed in one place. It just made sense.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
Smaller class sizes which means everyone gets one-to-one help and a really friendly, supportive atmosphere which makes going back into education so much easier.

Young people
Careers in Learning Support & Teaching
Careers in Learning Support & Teaching
Young people Careers in Learning Support & Teaching Careers in Learning Support & Teaching
Young people
Careers in Learning Support & Teaching
Careers in Learning Support & Teaching

How will I learn?

Whilst lectures, seminars and practical workshops feature strongly in the teaching and learning strategy, we will be making considerable use of alternative methods of delivery and study, particularly online options such as tutor and self-assessment revision tests and formative exercises, Power-Point and other software-based lecture material, learning portals and hyper-linked resource-materials. You may expect therefore to participate in a wide variety of learning activities including live presentations and discussion alongside more traditional modes of delivery. Additional support is available to all students in the form of specific one-to-one support sessions built in periodically to each module.

Our partners for success team can offer academic support and careers guidance.

Expert tutors

You will be taught by a range of expert tutors who have a wealth of experience and a wide range of qualifications that relate to the early years sector.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 258 0 0
Independent 937 0 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 1195 0 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

  • Early Childhood Studies - Foundation Degree

    View course

  • Children, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Early Years Lead Practitioner - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

    View course

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment for the Certificate of Higher Education will include a variety of formal and informal, formative and summative techniques. Assessment methods which you can expect to engage with include reports, essays, case study responses and presentations that aligns directly with your workplace to further strengthen the links between theory and practice.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 52% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 48% 0% 0%