Early Years Foundation Degree Dr Nick Sutcliffe Faculty

Early Years Foundation Degree Dr. Nick Sutcliffe – Faculty of Education & Language Studies www. open. ac. uk/FELS Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk

Overview of the Foundation Degree • 240 credit points – 120 at undergraduate level 1 and 120 at undergraduate level 2 • Lasts the part-time equivalent of two years full time study • OU Early years FD meets the requirements for the Df. ES Sure. Start unit recognised Early Years Sector endorsed Foundation Degree. • Suitable for experienced practitioners (with 2 years+ experience), who are currently working with young children aged 0 -8 in care and educational settings (5 hrs+ per week) • Teaching Assistants specialising in Early Years • Students in 2006 may be eligible for Df. ES support package (see www. open. ac. uk/early-years ) Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk 2

Structure of the Foundation Degree Level 1 compulsory courses • (E 123) Working with Children in the Early Years (30 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 295) • (E 124) Supporting Children’s Learning in the Early Years (30 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 295) • (E 115) Personal Professional Development : Early Years Settings (60 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 620) + 60 points from the following two options for Foundation Degree Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk 3

Structure of the Foundation Degree Level 2 Option 1 Sixty points from : • (ED 209) Child Development (60 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 525) • (U 212) Childhood (compulsory course if you wish to progress to the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies) (60 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 525) • (K 204) Working with Children and Families (60 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 595) Level 2 Option 2 • (E 243) Inclusive Education : Learning From each other (30 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 295) • (E 230) Ways of Knowing : language, mathematics and science in the early years (30 points, next start is in February 2007, UK Fee £ 295) Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk 4

Structure of the Foundation Degree Plus the Level 2 compulsory and final course • (E 215) Extending Personal and Professional Development : early years settings (60 points, next start is in May 2006, UK Fee £ 585) Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk 5

Exit Awards • Certificate in Early Years (120 points at level 1) • Foundation degree in Early Years (+ 120 points at Level 2) Where to next? • BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (+ 120 points at Level 3, must include U 212 Childhood course) • BA Ordinary degree (+ 60 points at Level 3) • BA Hons degree (+ 120 points at Level 3) And after that? • MA, M. Ed. Ph. D, Ed. D. Dr Nick Sutcliffe - n. m. g. sutcliffe@open. ac. uk 6