BA (Honours) Early Childhood Studies
Three years full-time
UCAS code • X310
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Childhood studies
Related subjects • Education studies
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View profiles of students on this course.
Visit the Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
At a glance
Gain the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to work with children from birth to seven years in a rapidly expanding area. You explore young children's development, education and care in a range of social contexts. Teaching and learning take place in a range of learning environments to reflect those that are available to young children.
Key points
• Build your professional confidence and enhance your employability through placements in a range of early years settings.
• Develop your understanding of how theory links to practice through work-based learning.
• Choose opportunities for further qualifications during your study such as the practitioner option (Ofsted approved).
• Learn from experienced practitioners and published academics.
What is early childhood studies?
The study of developing, educating and caring for young children.
This course
Develop your understanding of the way children think and learn and the meaning of their play. Increase your understanding of the safeguarding and protection of children and of their health and well-being. This knowledge provides the foundation for any career working with children and families.
During the course you gain knowledge in the key areas of early childhood education, child protection, child development, and the health and culture of children under eight years.
As well as your theoretical understanding of these subjects, you develop your professional experience and confidence by working in a range of early childhood environments.
Placements take up around 30 days of the first two years and 20 days of your final year and are designed to enhance your career prospects after you graduate.
You develop a range of relevant practical skills, such as how to
• identify and support children's individual needs and how to relate appropriately to children
• understand play situations in order to develop practice and experiences for young children
• how to listen to children and understand how they think
Your studies are led by experienced and published lecturers who come from backgrounds including social work, health visiting, education and psychology. You take part in small tutorial groups who meet regularly to link practice to what you are learning academically.
You then build on this experience with work-based learning in relevant maintained, private, voluntary and independent settings including • children’s centres • schools • pre schools • day nurseries • outreach workers • childminders • specialist support groups.
Practitioner option (Ofsted approved)
If you do not already have a level 3 early years qualification, you can complete the practitioner option module alongside your degree. This allows you to gain an equivalent award, which lets you take up employment as a qualified member of staff in early years settings.
Forest Schools
If you have an interest in young childrens outdoor play you can choose an optional module to gain your level 1 qualification in Forest Schools. You link theory to practice by learning in the woods in the south east of Sheffield and gain some new practical skills to use with young children.
We are constantly looking for teaching opportunities to reflect current early years thinking and therefore enhance your employment prospects.
Key areas of study
You can develop your interests and career aims by focusing on particular areas, such as • children’s friendships • forest schools • gender and identity • working with families • young children's well being.
Students have the opportunity to apply for in Ghana in the second and third years of this course. In Ghana you provide support in Ghanaian schools and orphanages and reflect on international perspectives in early childhood.
Related courses
You apply for this course through UCAS.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• reports • essays • papers • in-class timed assessments • book reports • self-evaluations • individual and group presentations • contributions to electronic conferences • work-based portfolios • logs • reflective diaries
You gain practical experience in a range of settings
Key Information Set 
Sophie Beer
BA (Honours) Early Childhood Studies
`During my first and second years I was based in a sure start centre with children in the two to three age group. This setting was integral to my development as a sensitive and competent early year’s practitioner. During this placement I had the opportunity to develop professional relationships with practitioners, outside agencies and the families who accessed the centre. I had a role within parental partnerships, feeding information about children’s development and wellbeing between families and practitioners.
`I experienced multi-professional planning and the implementation of government policy into practice. I had an active role in outdoor play and the planning of provision for a rich outdoor experience, as well as having a role in meal times and word and number schemes. I had the chance to conduct individual and group tasks with children of varying ages and make developmental records about children’s progress and plan experiences to enhance their future learning.
`I worked closely with a child with special educational needs, planning and implementing activities for her and working closely with her parents and the adults who provided her with additional support. For example I was also able to attend sessions with outside agencies such as speech and language therapy. I have also had experience through this setting of working with vulnerable children and have had to take an active safeguarding role to ensure their wellbeing.
`My final year placement was with the reception class of a primary school. In this placement I worked closely with a teacher, the leader of the foundation stage, teaching assistants and an early years professional. This experience provided me with the knowledge and understanding of planning and evaluating learning experiences using the EYFS in a school environment.
`As my final year project focused on collecting data it was integral for me to form close and trusting relationships with my supervisors in order to be able to undertake research on their views and feelings about their teaching. This placement gave me a vital insight into teaching and working closely with teachers, in particular, the planning and personal and professional development that goes into quality teaching.
`My experience of placement is entirely positive. I have had two strong and supportive placements where I was mentored by experienced and knowledgeable professionals who allowed me to grow in confidence and expertise in the field. They allowed me the freedom and independence to become a member of staff, working closely with children and families, and supported me as I became more competent in using the EYFS and the planning and evaluative systems each placement used for the implementation of a quality and successful curriculum.
`I enjoyed some strong and close professional relationships with my mentors and colleagues and received support through their knowledge and experiences which benefitted me in all areas of my degree.
`I was later contacted by one of my placements about a suitable role that had arisen that they felt I could fulfil, it was with regret I was unable to accept it due to having already accepted a position elsewhere.'
Profiles
Sophie Beer
BA (Honours) Early Childhood Studies
Staff profiles
Visit the Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
