伯明翰大学学院

**OVERVIEW****Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. If you are passionate about working with young children and their families, our Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) degree will give you the knowledge and experience to become a highly qualified graduate practitioner and open the doors to a rewarding career helping to meet the needs of children.**One of the first UK degrees to incorporate the new Graduate Practitioner Competencies status, our early childhood course will assess you in nine key areas and grant you a licence to practise in a variety of areas within the sector when you graduate, as well as helping you stand out among the competition. You will learn about key characteristics of childhood, wider issues around development and how to help children grow by creating new learning opportunities such as play-based learning.Combining theory with practice, our Early Childhood Studies degree also allows you to acquire extensive work experience on placements throughout your course, as well as going on visits to experience different childhood approaches first-hand. On top of this, you will have the chance to gain additional qualifications ranging from Makaton training to Paediatric First Aid, plus additional enrichment opportunities such as introductory Lego therapy and baby massage sessions, equipping you with a wealth of skills by the end of your studies.If your calling is to become a teacher, you can progress onto our PGCE Primary Education QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) postgraduate course, specialising in working with children aged 3-7 or 5-11.**WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?**- **Work placements** – From day care and nurseries to primary school mentoring and special education, gain real-life experience on a variety of placements throughout your degree- **Enrichment** – Widen your skills with enrichment opportunities such as Lego therapy, Makaton training, baby massage, paediatric first aid and food hygiene- **Industry approved** – Our course includes the Graduate Practitioner Competencies developed by the ECSDN (now included in the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the DfE)**PLACEMENTS**Our course includes a mandatory requirement of 200 hours on placement each year. Year 1 and 2 placements will focus on early years, while the Year 3 placement will be determined by your eventual career choice.Employers we have worked with include Aston University Nursery and Pre-school, Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies, Arden Primary School, Queen Alexandra College, James Brindley Parkway, Little Scallywags Day Nursery and St Thomas Centre Nursery.**CAREERS AND PROGRESSION**Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:- Early years teacher/primary school teacher- Learning mentor- Family support worker- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)- Social worker (NHS)- Mental health nurseYou could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.- **Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course**