Early Childhood Education and Care BA(Hons)

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course structure 

Tutors and visiting speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds within early childhood fields will encourage and challenge your critical reflection and understanding through lectures and seminars. Self-directed independent study is also a large part of the course, and at other times you will learn in small groups and workshops. 

Although education has a significant focus within the course, you will also explore multi-agency working and other early childhood contexts, according to your individual interests and career goals. 

The practical element of the course is an opportunity to engage with observational study visits and go on placement within a range of settings, putting into practice what you have studied in the classroom.

Year 1 

In the first year you will learn how babies and toddlers start to make sense of the world around them, along with key theories surrounding children’s physical, emotional and social health. You will consider the role of wider systems on a child’s development including family and community, and policy and legislation. You will also consider philosophical and theoretical perspectives around learning and childhood.

Modules

• Learning in Higher Education
• Perspectives on Learning and Development
• Philosophy of Education and Early Childhood
• Child Development: Physical, Social and Emotional Development
• Families and Communities in Early Childhood Contexts
• Policy and Legislation in Early Childhood Contexts

Year 2 

In your second year you will focus again on child development to consider the role of play and children’s developing communication, language and literacy. You will delve further into wider societal influences on children’s lives when you consider equalities and inclusion in early childhood and how policy and legislation influence and reflect children and families’ experiences.

You will be introduced to research skills and guided in a small research project which is both manageable and ethical. You’ll also go on placement in your relevant area of interest.

Modules

• Child Development: Play for Learning and Development in Early Childhood
• Research Methods
• Equalities and Inclusion in Early Childhood Contexts
• Child Development: Communication, Language and Literacy in Early Childhood
• Placement: Understanding Young Children and Young Children's Services

Final year 

In your final year you will draw on placement experiences to explore the complexities of multi-agency and interdisciplinary working as well as how childhood is interpreted across the globe. You will also consider the ways that different agencies approach the assessment of children’s learning and development needs.

You will revisit your learning to consider your journey whilst on the course and consider the range of transferrable skills you have acquired as well as your personal philosophy for each child. You will also have the opportunity to research in depth the areas of early childhood that most interest you.

Modules

• Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership
• International Perspectives on Childhood
• Assessing Children's Learning and Development in Early Childhood
• Reflection on Learning
• Dissertation: Researching Early Childhood

Placements

You will have the opportunity to put your education theory into practice during a placement. Placements are also an opportunity to critically evaluate your methods of supporting children’s learning and development.

Your placement setting will depend on your career aspirations and could include children’s centres, schools, playgroups, hospitals or clinics.

Our teaching staff will ensure that you are well prepared for your placement and that you have all the support and guidance you need to make the most of the opportunity.

You will be supported by mentors and more experienced colleagues and they will help you to develop the skills and insights necessary to work capably and confidently with young children.

Facilities 

Curriculum Centre

Our specialist Curriculum Centre on the Falmer campus houses more than 25,000 teaching resources, spanning all the subjects in the national curriculum. The collection includes games, DVDs, CD-ROMs, pictures, charts, education packs and an extensive collection of children’s books. 

Falmer library

The Falmer library houses an extensive array of literature and resources related to early childhood education and care.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus and Brighton and Sussex Medical School map