Applications to our full-time undergraduate courses must be made through UCAS. To apply for this course please visit ucas.com using the institution code for Warwickshire College and University Centre: W25 and the course code listed above.

If you will not be registering or applying for a Higher Education course through UCAS, then you can apply directly to us by selecting "Apply now" to complete an online application form.

This course provides a broad foundation of knowledge and skills required to work with young children. It is designed to provide students with a 'licence to practice' in an early years setting.

This course is written to support the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework from birth to reception class.  Knowledge and skills will also cover up to 7 years 11 months (Key Stage 1). The course relies heavily on work-based learning and therefore students complete work placements where they will apply and practise theory and use their workplace experience in a range of assessment tasks.

On successful completion of the FdA Early Years Development and Education course, you will be able to practice at the DfE approved Level 3 ratios in an Early Years setting.  All successful students have the opportunity to apply for the BA (Hons) Early Years, Childhood and Education Studies course validated in partnership with Coventry University, with just one further year of part-time study at Warwickshire College and University Centre.

This award carries the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) kitemark aligned to the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner standard.

This course is delivered and awarded by Warwickshire College and is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).

Year 1 - Level 4

• Academic Study Skills, Employability and T-Shaped 
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Understanding the World
• Physical Development Expressive Arts and Design
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Effective Early Years Practitioner 1

Year 2 - Level 5

• Diverse Childhoods
• Children's Health and Wellbeing
• Supporting Children's Mathematical Understanding

• Safeguarding Children
• Effective Early Years Practitioner 2
• Effective Leadership and Management in the Early Years

All students must complete 600 hours of WBPL across the duration of the course.  

Students will normally undertake 200 hours per year and are required to complete 150 hours (minimum) at level four in order to progress to level five.

For further details about this course, please refer to the programme specification here: Download the programme specification

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated, please contact us for the latest information.

All units are assessed by coursework and students will need to complete a range of assignments based on theory and professional and reflective practice.  Some assignments will be completed within the workplace during work placement.

There are no exams associated with this course.

Applicants would normally be expected to have at least 80 UCAS tariff points which may be derived from a Level 3 qualification including BTEC Extended Diploma or City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in a related subject, T Level in Education and Early Years or A Levels.

Applicants will also need to have four GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English Language and Maths.

Progression for a L3 Early Years Educator or CPLD qualification will be considered.

Qualified Teaching Assistants or Early Years practitioners who have experience of working with children aged 0-5 years and up to 7 years 11 months - those working in schools and can afford time in the Early Years sector who meet the requirements for assessments, are welcome to apply.

All applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement and a supportive reference from their current or recent tutor, or employer indicating readiness to study a Foundation Degree in Early Years.

The college would consider applications from mature students with relevant work experience who may not have related formal academic qualifications. The college welcomes applications from students with disabilities.

Entry requirements are for guidance only. We welcome students with equivalent qualifications and combinations. Please contact us to discuss further.

All applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement and a supportive reference from their current or recent tutor, or employer indicating readiness to study a degree in Early Years.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an application meeting.

WCUC welcomes all students and will always aim to make reasonable adjustments to meet any specific needs or difficulties. In exceptional circumstances, the learning outcomes of some courses may mean that such adjustments are not possible and the college cannot guarantee that every requirement can be supported. Failure to disclose specific needs or difficulties to the college at an early stage in your application may delay the college in its ability to make reasonable adjustments or may prevent them altogether.

There are also opportunities to visit our college(s) at a Degree Open Event and meet tutors, ask questions and view our facilities. See the Degree Open Events webpage for more information and to book your place at an upcoming Degree Open Event.

For our Higher Education Terms and Conditions please visit the Terms and Conditions webpage.

The FdA Early Years Development and Education (EYE) qualification enables you to practise at the DfE approved Level 3 ratios (1:8) in an Early Years setting and may allow those employed within the child-care sector to take on extra responsibilities and/or gain promotion.

Successful completion of the FdA Early Years Development and Education course ensures that graduates are eligible to apply for the BA (Hons) Early Years, Childhood and Education Studies course delivered at Warwickshire College and University Centre and validated in partnership with Coventry University.  This Top-up course can be achieved with one further year of part-time study, making it ideal for those who have secured employment and wish to continue their professional development.

Further progression to a qualification leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) such as a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or an Early Years Initial Teacher Training Course leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).  Only graduates who have achieved QTS or EYTS can count in the level 6 staff ratios of 1:13.

Alternative progression routes are potentially available at other UK universities and the WCG Careers and Guidance team can help with applications where required.

All FdA Early Years Development and Education students must undertake 600 hours of work based placement learning. Students will normally undertake 200 hours per year and are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours at Level 4 in order to progress to Level 5.

Students can normally expect to undertake a study pattern of 2 days in work placement, 2 days in college and one day focused on independent study. The college supports flexible approaches to completing these hours including during evenings, weekends and holidays.

The course is designed for full-time students and as such, there is a great deal of support for students who are new to study at this level.

FdA Early Years Development and Education

Every year, we welcome students from across the world to our college.

For further information about the services our International Team provides, then please visit our International webpage.

The tuition fees for our full time degree courses, for non-UK students are £11,950 per academic year.

WCUC tuition fees are listed per academic year and will remain as those shown at the top of this page, for the duration of your course.

The following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fees:

• Printing
• Cost of books that you might wish to purchase
• Cost of electrical equipment such as laptops, notebooks and stationery for your personal use

Accommodation and living costs not included in the fees:

This information can be obtained from our Accommodation webpage.

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained from our HE fees and financial support webpage.

Bursaries

WCG also provides bursaries for undergraduate students, for which you may be eligible to apply. You can check your eligibility for these types of financial support, along with their value and application deadlines, at our HE fees and financial support webpage.

L5

Higher Education

Education and Childcare