Early years workers can extend their career prospects with a new higher education degree. Mary Evans reports
The first new higher education qualification for 25 years was launched this autumn, offering a new route to professional development for early years practitioners.
Called a foundation degree, this new employment-related higher education qualification can be studied by employees such as nursery nurses and classroom assistants to gain specialist skills for work, and act as a stepping stone to further professional development, including teaching.
Employers, professional bodies and national training organisations have helped design the qualifications - a key weapon in the Government's campaign to combat skills shortages.
A foundation degree is ranked one level below an honours degree and sits at level 4 on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's qualifications framework. The degree can be studied part time or full time over two years and has been developed to be delivered flexibly, via the internet or through distance or work-based learning, or locally at further education colleges. On completion, students will be able to achieve an Honours degree in up to 15 months of further study.
Initially, nearly 4,000 places on 69 foundation degree courses are being run this year at 90 universities, higher and further education colleges in England, with courses ranging from e-business to early years practice.
Among them are City and Islington College in London, which is offering a foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies. Course manager Penny Mukherji describes the foundation degrees as 'a very exciting concept', allowing students to work while studying and opening up opportunities in childcare management and the option to complete an honours degree in 15 months (see box).
Promoting the qualification, ministers stress that a foundation degree will increase people's career opportunities and earning potential and provide a step to further study, profes- sional development and promotion.
Margaret Hodge, minister for lifelong learning and higher education, says, 'Graduates with foundation degrees will have what employers want - a thorough academic grounding complete with practical job skills. And because these courses are vocational, they are attractive to people who are uncertain about higher education and want certainty that it will provide a passport to a job.'
Degrees for childcarers
Classroom Assistance Foundation Degree
- This course is validated by the University of Leicester and delivered by the university and Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln.
- It aims to offer the skills and theoretical development for career advancement and provide a work-based entry into teaching.
- The modular course may be completed within a two- to-four-year period. Work-based elements will be supported by school mentors.
- Applicants must have five GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and mathematics, or equivalent qualifications, and substantial work experience as a classroom assistant. Advanced standing may be offered to those with an accredited classroom assistants' course.
- Students can progress to a BA in primary education or early childhood studies.
Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies
- This course is validated by the University of North London and delivered by City and Islington College and Hackney Community College, London.
- The two-year degree is counted as a full-time course but students attend classes on one day and one evening.
- The course is relevant for experienced childcare professionals and is written with the needs of childcare managers in mind.
- Applicants are expected to have two years' full-time or part-time equivalent professional practice in the care of children from birth to eight years in a daycare or education setting. Students with a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education without two years' experience are also eligible.
- Holders of the Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education can complete the degree in one year.
- The degree requires students to be working in an early years establishment for two days a week.
- Students have to complete 16 modules over two years in areas such as child development, heath, early years provision and practice; working with parents; play, language and learning; theories of representation; group care for under-fives; management; and special educational needs.
- Students can progress to jobs in management or the degree in early childhood studies at the University of North London.
Learning Support Foundation Degree
- This course is validated by Warwick University and has been developed by a consortium of public and private sector early years providers.
- It is aimed at teaching, support and welfare assistants, in the public and private sectors, working in an early years setting.
- Entry qualifications include OCN level 3 courses in relevant areas, NNEB and CACHE qualifications at level 3, NVQ level 3, and relevant level 3 qualifications from other bodies.
The part-time course will have both university-based and work-based components.
- The course is intended to provide an understanding of child development in the early years, education in the foundation stage and key stage 1, SEN, child health and welfare, child protection issues, classroom organisation and behaviour management, ICT and team working.
- Students can progress to a BA in early childhood studies or BA in social studies.
