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Home » Courses » FdA Childhood Education

FdA Childhood Education

The FdA Childhood Education is an exciting opportunity for you to study education provided for children 3-11 years of age. You will gain all of the necessary skills to understand how to provide the support and guidance needed for a career in Childhood Education.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

This course is focused on Primary School teaching but will teach the importance of the transitions from EYFS to key stage 1 through to key stage 2. It provides an introduction to a wide range of topics associated with childhood education including some of the more complex issues surrounding children and education today. The programme will enable students to develop their own teaching strategies and practice from this knowledge base. You will develop your understanding of childhood education through making clear and consistent links between theory and your own practice whilst undertaking a professional work placement.

Please be aware that due to government changes in June 2022 within the Early Childhood Benchmark statement by QAA, the FdA Childhood Education course is no longer on the approved list for providers for Early Years Practitioner Status for the Department of Education. Therefore, the foundation degree qualification does not cover graduates to be included within ratios within early years settings.  The University Centre and the Education Team are working with the University of Plymouth to re-approve the programme to include the requirements to ensure that graduates will be able to have Early Year Practitioner Status in the future and help meet the industry need.

Apply for this course

Start date: 18/09/2023

Course code
HECHILD23P
Level
Level 5
Location
Penwith College
Duration
2 years
Qualification
Foundation Degree
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TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Excellent Tutor Support

Embedded Vocational Practice

Professional Progression Links

Trips to Alternative Learning Environments

Experienced Teaching Staff

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Excellent Professional Progression

Previous students of the FdA Childhood Education course have been able to successfully apply for a place on local SCITT Programmes, third-year top-ups on a range of Bachelors Degrees and have felt well prepared for Level 6 study.

Portrait of pupils and teacher reading and discussing interesting book in library

Working With Local Settings

Our students undertake a work placement in the first and second year of the course, utilising links with local Primary Schools, Nurseries and Special Schools. We have dedicated links to TPAT Schools and provide a range of support to find the best placement for you

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Continuing Professional Development

Alongside the foundation degree, we offer additional opportunities to increase your professional development through courses including Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Makaton and have links to undertake Forest School training.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

This programme has been designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge base required to work in their chosen specialism or other graduate opportunities. It is also a platform from which students can undertake additional academic and in some instances professional vocational qualifications.

First Year

  • The Psychology of Teaching and Learning
  • Professionalism and Interpersonal Relationship
  • Theories of Childhood Education
  • Professional Practice (Compulsory Placement)
  • Curriculum, Curriculum Planning and Age Phase Transition
  • Special Education Needs and Disability

Second Year

  • Education and Society
  • Alternative Learning Environments
  • Curriculum: English & Mathematics
  • Curriculum: Science & Technology
  • Critical Professional Practice (Compulsory Placement)
  • Educational Research

Programme Quality Handbook

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WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?

The FdA Childhood Education prepares you for employability in the sector as it increases your understanding of children’s learning and development. There are bespoke modules that focus on the planning and delivery of curriculum subjects. The vocational practice enables you to develop your confidence in the classroom. Graduates are suitably prepared to pursue careers in primary school teaching, childcare management and nursery supervision. We have lecturers teaching on the course who were former students themselves and have completed their Bachelor’s Degree and post-16 PGCE.

Following the 2-year foundation degree, we have direct entry pathways into a number of top-up third years including:

  • BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies at University of Plymouth
  • Flexible Learning Early Childhood Studies (FLECS) at University of Plymouth
  • BA (Hons) Education and Training at Truro and Penwith College
  • BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studies at Truro and Penwith College
  • BSc (Hons) Applied Social Science at Truro and Penwith College
  • Course in Early Years Teacher (EYT) for those students who want to work with younger children at University of Plymouth
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Assessment Arrangements

Assessment for this course is 100% coursework. Assessment is through a variety of methods to suit the module, these include; Academic essays, Seminars, Reports, Research and Reflection.

There is a compulsory work placement element to two of the modules, Professional Practice and Critical Professional Practice. It is compulsory to fulfill and evidence 80 hours of work placement in the first year and 120 hours of work placement in the second year. However, students are required to make links with practice throughout all modules and assessments.

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and Science at Grade C (4) or above.

Together with one of the following:

  • A minimum of 48 tariff points at A Level or equivalent Level 3 qualification
  • Access to Higher Education: Considered on an individual basis
  • Level 3 qualifications achieved in the workplace will be taken into consideration
  • National and Advanced Diplomas in a relevant subject

Applications from mature students without academic credentials will be considered on an individual basis but must prove they are capable of Higher Education study.

Prospective students will be required to successfully complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which was formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Additional Information

UCAS COURSE CODE: X310

DURATION: 2 years full time / Part-time route available

LOCATION: Truro & Penwith College

AWARDING BODY: University of Plymouth

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our admissions team. We're here Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm.

What you could earn

  • Senior Professionals of Educational Establishments
  • Secondary Education Teaching Professionals
  • Higher Education Teaching Professionals
  • Further Education Teaching Professionals
  • Primary and Nursery Education Teaching Professionals
  • Special Needs Education Teaching Professionals
  • Vocational and Industrial Trainers and Instructors
  • Education Advisers and School Inspectors
Potential Salary

£61,898

Entry Level Salary

£28,793

Average Salary

£94,528

Annual openings in Cornwall

25

Potential Salary

£37,851

Entry Level Salary

£20,058

Average Salary

£50,838

Annual openings in Cornwall

108

Potential Salary

£36,158

Entry Level Salary

£10,330

Average Salary

£59,621

Annual openings in Cornwall

22

Potential Salary

£34,920

Entry Level Salary

£10,137

Average Salary

£54,018

Annual openings in Cornwall

23

Potential Salary

£29,664

Entry Level Salary

£14,010

Average Salary

£40,392

Annual openings in Cornwall

220

Potential Salary

£28,083

Entry Level Salary

£10,121

Average Salary

£42,887

Annual openings in Cornwall

24

Potential Salary

£26,559

Entry Level Salary

£11,884

Average Salary

£41,224

Annual openings in Cornwall

59

Potential Salary

£42,690

Entry Level Salary

£19,891

Average Salary

£65,193

Annual openings in Cornwall

8

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