Early Years Education and Professional Practice with Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS) - BA (Hons) Degree

Year One: 

• All modules marked* are also available to study through the medium of Welsh.

• Professional Practice (1): Developing Effective Practice (60 credits)*

• During this module, you will be introduced to the requirements of the Early Years Practitioner Status qualification. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop skills in relation to creating nurturing and inclusive environments which provide high quality care and education. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own development in your practice. 

• The Developing Child 1 (20 credits)*

• During this module you will develop your understanding of the factors that influence growth and development in children. Specific aspects of development in childhood will be considered including areas such as cognition, memory, language, emotional and social development.

• The Developing Child 2 (20 credits)*

• Following on from The Developing Child 1, this module will allow you to examine a range of theoretical perspectives related to children, child development and childhood and how these impact on current policy and practice. You will also have opportunities to develop knowledge in relation to the identification of policy and practice relating to the protection and safeguarding of children.

• Early Learning (20 credits)*

• Interactive sessions will provide opportunities to explore the value and importance of play in children's lives, both in theory and practice. You will study how and why children play, the role of adults and environments in the provision of play for children aged 0 to 8 and consider the possible benefits and challenges in the fun but serious business of providing for children's play. You will examine processes and theoretical perspectives of language acquisition and early mathematical development through the evaluation of key factors which impact in these two areas.

Year Two: 

• Professional Development 2: Working with others (60 credits)*

• During this module, you will further develop the skills needed to achieve Early Years Practitioner Status, focusing on working with families. You will have extensive opportunities in practice to develop your understanding of a range of frameworks used in settings, developing skills in creating supportive environments for the provision of play, care, educational and learning opportunities. You will also engage in assessment and planning processes. There will also be opportunities to explore features of entrepreneurship in an early years context thereby allowing you to develop entrepreneurship capabilities. 

• Pedagogy and Practice in the Early Years (20 credits)

• The Pedagogy and Practice in the Early Years module allows you to develop knowledge and understanding of the philosophical and theoretical perspectives which underpin pedagogy and practice. You will have the opportunity to evaluate factors which impact on children's experiences of pedagogy and practice including the role of the adult, the environment and ethos as well as examining and reviewing the practical implementation of pedagogy in practice.

• Becoming a Researcher (20 credits)

• This module will develop your ability to critically engage with peer reviewed academic sources. You will examine critical issues in relation to undertaking research including ethical issues and gaining informed consent/assent. A range of methodological approaches and innovative research tools, will be evaluated to provide experience in their implementation and analysis of data.

• Education Equality (20 credits)*

• This module will provide you with a critical understanding of contemporary research and practice in education and equality. You will examine key theories and concepts surrounding education and equality including gender, English as an Additional Language, bullying and children who are looked after and relate these to relevant examples. There will also be opportunities to explore legislation and policy in relation to education and equality.

Year Three 

• Professional Development 3: Leadership and Management (60 credits)*

• During this module, extensive opportunities in practice will enable you to complete the requirements related to the Early Years Practitioner Status qualification. This module will focus on leadership and management, providing opportunities for you to develop skills in leading and supporting high quality care and education. You will examine a range of policies and consider their impact on practice. You will also consider the principles of evaluating early years' services effectively. This module will equip you with skills to support your own learning and that of others through communities of practice.​ 

• Inclusive Practice in Early Years (20 credits)

• Throughout this module you will critically examine the key principles and practice of inclusion in the Early Years, including the role of the Early Years Practitioner. You will distinguish between and analyse the key issues related to children with additional learning needs. You will explore and evaluate the planning and organisation of interventions and strategies for the support of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and inclusion.

• Independent Research Project (40 credits)*

• This module will allow you to develop your ability to research independently in an area of specific interest to you. In particular you will be able to select, rationalise and implement an extended written project and then to  coherently, and fully, present the project in an academic style. You will receive guidance and support from your supervisor throughout the project.