Cornwall College St Austell offers a range of professional development programmes, including degree-level study in the early years and teaching sectors. So if you are looking to further your career or start a new direction as an educator, we have the programme for you.

Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies

This programme is for people over the age of 18 who are interested in pursuing a career working within the early years sector as, for example, a primary teacher or as an early years practitioner or manager.

It is particularly suitable for people who would like to study full-time over one day per week. This foundation degree is essentially the first two years of a degree course; the third year can be completed as a top-up in order to obtain a full degree or honours degree.

You will study social science, developmental perspectives, values and ethics, new learning technologies for the early years and consider the creative use of the outdoor environment. You will learn about special needs in education, ways to protect children and how to teach literacy and numeracy skills to early years children. You will conduct an independent study in a topic you are particularly interested in. You will also have the opportunity to develop and apply specialist knowledge, for example learning about how to use the outdoor environment as an effective learning space in conjunction with Wildlife and Marine specialists. The programme also includes a module to develop your own personal and professional skills in readiness for employment, for example team working skills, decision-making, problem-solving and communication.

Work-related learning is an integral part of the programme and is built into the majority of modules by providing opportunities for you to apply your learning directly to your specific working environment. Therefore you will also be required to undertake a work placement in an early years setting and this may be on a voluntary or paid basis.

Possible Progression (subject to availability)

• BA (Hons) Education & Curriculum Studies final year at St Austell
• BA (Hons) Children, Schools & Families final year at St Austell
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies final year at University of Plymouth

Possible Careers

• Teaching
• Teaching Assistant
• Early Years Care Management
• Early Years Practitioner
• Working with Individuals with Special Needs