Childcare - Early Years Care And Education Level 5

View The Isle of Wight College's standard entry requirements for full-time college courses (depending on the level of the course to be studied).

All applicants will be interviewed. Applicants for The Foundation Degree in Early Years need to meet the following criteria:

Applicants must:

Be employed or doing voluntary work in an Early Years childcare setting for a minimum of a day a week. This will be discussed at interview to ensure students will be able to meet the requirements of the work-based activities and research

Have the support of their employer (unless they are self-employed such as child-minders)

Typical offers

• A level 3 qualification, for example a relevant Early Years NVQ.
• T-levels – Pass (D or E in the core) - Merit Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Education and Childcare
• Applicants are to be working in either a voluntary or paid relevant educational setting for a minimum equivalence of one day a week.

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

The foundational years of childhood are vital for fostering a lifelong love of learning, self-assurance, and curiosity. Designed for current educational practitioners holding a Level 3 qualification (like an Early Years NVQ), this FdA in Early Years Care and Education offers the ideal pathway to elevate your career to the higher education level and gain professional recognition. Collaborating alongside industry experts, you will develop the practical skills necessary to help children thrive through engaging, play-based experiences. While your studies will take place at a partner college, you will be fully registered as a University of Portsmouth student, granting you access to all campus resources and student support services. Upon graduation, you will be equipped to advance your career, whether that means moving into senior early years roles, topping up to a BA (Hons) in Education Studies, or pursuing Initial Teacher Training for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Early Years Care and Education | University of Portsmouth

Brief breakdown of modules/subjects:

You will study 12 modules across the two years: 

• Practice and Pedagogy (Double Module) 
• Curriculum Planning and Legislation 
• Inclusive Practice in the Early Years 
• Safeguarding Children 
• Working with Families 
• ICT and Early Years Development 
• Information for Decision Making 
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health  
• Cognition and Language Development 
• Practitioner Based Enquiry – Proposal and Report 

You will study at college one day a week across a range of teaching methods to include lectures, workshops and seminars across your modules.

6 hours professional industry experience essential.

Ideas of academic or workplace progression 

Although a recognised qualification in itself, the FdA in Early Years forms the first two years of the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies. Students wishing to complete this degree have the option to do this over one year (full time). 

Students wishing to achieve Early Years Teacher qualifications (EYT) can undertake this alongside the BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies. Students may wish to complete the degree and take the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education to qualify them as National Curriculum school teachers. 

Provides a basis for progression through a top up route to: 

• ITT(EY) (Early Years Teacher) 
• BA (Hons) Degree in Childhood studies 
• BA (Hons): PGCE qualification leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – this is subject to entry conditions of receiving institution. 

NB: to undertake EYT and QTS you must have GCSE at C or above in English, Maths and Science (some students take this while doing the FdA). 

English language requirements- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications