BA Early Years Education

About the Course

Baby thinking How children learn is a fascinating area of study. Current policy and initiatives such as the Foundation Phase curriculum for young children and Flying Start demonstrate a commitment to the principle that educational and childcare services for young children should be of the highest quality. A rigorously trained, well-informed, knowledgeable, skilled and confident early years’ education workforce is crucial to provide such high quality services for young children.

The BA Early Years Education is the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s response to the need for a highly skilled graduate level workforce in all areas of early years’ services.

The course takes a holistic approach to young children’s learning processes. As students, you will take an in-depth look at child development, both theory and practice, both historic and up-to-date. You will also study the cultural concept of childhood, early literacy, outdoor learning, and gender and childhood, and will have the opportunities to visit a range of settings. In the third year, you will have the opportunity to undertake a specialist project, as well as relevant placement experience.

The BA Early Years Education graduate, with the knowledge, values and understanding essential for informed good practice, will make a significant contribution to professional excellence in early years’ education both in Wales and beyond.

Award
BA (Single Honours)

UCAS Code
X310

Language Choice
English
Welsh

Course Length
3 years full-time or 2 years with credit transfer option; Part-time study available

Entry Requirements

See introduction

We also acknowledge a variety of qualifications including the CACHE Diploma/NNEB. You will be invited to visit the University to discuss the course. Entry is based on individual merit.

Career Opportunities

  • Teaching
  • Social Work
  • Community and family work, eg, Sure Start
  • Specialist library work, eg, Toy Libraries
  • Senior management in day care provision
  • Education research
  • Specialist voluntary sector
  • Voluntary sector and community work
  • Postgraduate study/research

some of these areas may require additional professional qualifications

Department

School of Early Childhood

Campus

Carmarthen Campus

Typical modules

  • Introduction to Human Development
  • Principles and Practice of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in the Early Years
  • Understanding Young Children’s Learning
  • Child Language Acquisition
  • Promoting Children’s Early Learning
  • Stepping Out: Learning in the Outdoor Environment
  • Management and Team Working in Early Years Settings

Key Features

  • Specialist academic study (eg childcare, psychology, history of childhood, child language development)
  • Practical placements in different settings (eg toy libraries, reception classes, nursery schools, family centres, nurseries, voluntary sector)
  • Practical workshops (eg Young Children’s Creativity, Music in Early Years, Babies and Books)
  • Visits to specialist provision (for example, Steiner school, Montessori Centre, minority language early years’ setting)
  • The University has 150 years of experience in the field of Education
  • Course staff with early years’ expertise: early literacy, bilingualism inclusive practice and Forest Schools
  • The University’s long-established experience and expertise in Welsh language and bilingual provision together with The Cwricwlwm Cymreig
  • Close links with a range of provision in west Wales
  • Dedicated Education Resource Centre
  • Purpose-built Nursery on campus

Why study at this University?

  • The University has 150 years of experience in the field of Education
  • Course staff with early years expertise: early literacy, bilingualism and Forest Schools, special needs
  • The University’s long established experience and expertise in Welsh language and bilingual provision together with The Cwricwlwm Cymreig
  • Close links with a range of provision in West Wales
  • Dedicated Education Resource Centre
  • Purpose built Nursery on campus - ‘Gamfa Wen’

Programme Specification

The main educational aims of the programme are:

  • To give students an increasing understanding of the integrated and holistic nature of the care and learning needs of young children from pre-birth to five years;

  • To give students a thorough understanding of the importance of play in the cognitive, social, emotional and linguistic development of young children;

  • To give students a thorough understanding of issues of quality in early years provision;

  • To give students a broad understanding of the nature of educational and social issues in general and their significance for quality provision for young children;

  • To give students a practical experience of working with young children and families in a variety of settings.

Programme Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

  • An awareness of the underlying values and principles relevant to young children’s learning.

  • Knowledge of the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process.

  • An awareness of the different contexts in which learning can take place and the range of different roles of participants in the learning process.

  • Some understanding of the societal and organisational structures and purposes of educational systems.

  • An ability to select a range of relevant primary and secondary sources, including theoretical and research-based evidence, to extend their knowledge and understanding.

Application

  • A basic ability to analyse educational concepts, theories and issues of policy in a systematic way.

  • A developing ability to identify and reflect on potential connections and discontinuities between each of the aspects of subject knowledge and their application in educational policies and contexts.

  • An ability to accommodate new principles and understandings, including suggesting ways forward and potential changes in practice.

Reflection

  • A basic ability to reflect on their own value system.

  • An ability to question concepts and theories encountered in their study.

  • A basic understanding of the significance and limitations of theory and research.

Transferable Skills (1)

  • The ability to communicate in speech and writing using relevant specialist vocabulary.

  • An ability to use ICT for their study and other appropriate situations.

  • An ability to interpret graphical and tabular presentation of data and to collate and present numerical data.

  • An ability to work effectively as part of a team, carrying out allocated roles and fulfilling agreed responsibilities.

Transferable Skills (2)

  • An understanding of and an ability to articulate their own preferred learning styles and strategies and manage their development to organise an effective work pattern including working to deadlines.

  • An ability to process and synthesise empirical and theoretical data in addressing tasks and formulating possible actions.

Further Information

Also available:

  • Cert HE Nursery Management
  • PG Dip Foundation Phase
  • MA Early Years Education