Education training for work in schools or nurseries

If you are already volunteering or working with children in an early years or primary school setting, you can develop your practice, broaden your knowledge and enhance your career prospects by taking further training. Our courses bring together university-based study with your activities at work, so you make the most of the demands and opportunities within your role.

What will I learn?

You’ll consolidate your experience with babies, toddlers and/or young children by studying modules including Children and Young People’s Learning and Development, Safeguarding Children and Young People, Social Policy, Equality and Inclusion, and Reflective Professional Practice. You will also explore subjects that are specific to your chosen profession.

Placements

Your valuable ongoing work experience makes up a significant part of the learning process in our work-based foundation degrees, with an opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of people from the Children and Young People's Workforce.

Who will teach me?

Our education staff are all experienced education practitioners whose specific interests in the theories and issues in education brings depth and relevance to their teaching.

Career options

The Early Years Care and Education foundation degree (FdA) may provide a recognised route towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). The Professional Studies in Primary Education foundation degree (FdA) is essentially based upon the higher level teaching assistant (HTLA) standards but also includes appropriate academic elements taught at the university. On successful completion, you may progress to further training, for example, onto a full honours degree.

To teach in a school, you need to attain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which you can gain by successfully completing a PGCE or GTP providing you meet government entry requirements for teaching. We offer two routes, the Primary Education postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and the Primary Graduate Training Programme (GTP).

Key staff

"I've worked with pre-school children and their families in a variety of roles in East Sussex for twenty years, and studying for the University of Brighton’s Early Years Care and Education foundation degree turned out to be a catalyst for my own continuing professional development. I’m particularly passionate about helping students to join theory to practice and become reflective, enthusiastic and confident in their work, because I can see all of us in turn making a difference to the experiences of children and families in the early years sector."

Annie Richardson, route leader, Early Years Care and Education