Key information
UCAS code:
X310
Typical offer:
A level 3 qualification, for example a relevant Early Years NVQ
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
The early years are all-important when it comes to nurturing a child's curiosity, confidence and love of learning.
If you currently work with young children in an educational setting, have a level 3 qualification (such as a relevant Early Years NVQ), and you're looking to develop your career to university-level, this Foundation degree (FdA) in Early Years Care and Education will give you the professional recognition you need.
You’ll work with early years professionals to gain skills and knowledge that’ll serve you in helping young children realise their potential through fun, excitement and play.
You'll study at our partner college but you’ll still be a student of the 1024ºË¹¤³§, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.
After the course, you'll be ready to take the next step in your career as an early years professional. You could also go on to do a Bachelor's degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies or use your Foundation degree to do training that leads to Qualified Teacher Status such as Early Years Teacher Training.
You can study this course full-time over two years at Isle of Wight College.
Isle of Wight College
While studying at our partner college, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union and our library's online resources.
Course highlights:
- Build your expertise as an early years professional by exploring theories and contemporary issues within education, such as curriculum planning, safeguarding and cognitive and language development
- Learn in supportive study groups, alongside other early years professionals from different backgrounds, and discover practical ways to put your new knowledge and skills to work
- Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies
- Have the option to begin the course in year two if you already have sufficient experience or qualifications (assessed on an individual basis)
Endorsed by:
The Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education has been validated by SEFDEY (Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years Professional Association) as meeting the criteria for Sector-Endorsement.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at 1024ºË¹¤³§.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via
See our accommodation page for more information.
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Entry requirements
FdA Early Years Care and Education entry requirements
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 -
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
This Early Years Care and Education Foundation degree (FdA) will enable you to progress in your existing career as an early years practitioner, opening up opportunities across the education sector that help shape children's younger formative years or to go on to further study, such as teacher training.
What can you do with an early years care and education foundation degree?
Once you graduate, you'll be ready to take on roles in areas such as:
- teaching assistance
- learning support assistance
- nursery management
- childcare development
You could also progress to a relevant Bachelor's top-up degree, such as BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).
Following this top-up course, you could go on to do teacher training through PGCE, SCITT or Early Years Initial Teacher Training programmes.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work experience. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll explore the impact of legislation on early years education in both indoor and outdoor settings and learn about stages of curriculum planning and activity.
You’ll take a structured visit to a new educational setting to see how this works in practice, focusing on how activities defined in the curriculum meet children’s individual requirements accounting for factors like culture, communication and additional needs.
You'll review frameworks like the SEND Code of Practice, regarding professional partnerships and attitudes to equality, diversity and inclusion.
You’ll also learn about interventions to support the needs of children in the context of broader inclusive and diverse practice, and the nature of professional group dynamics, possible barriers to working together and the impact on working relationships.
You’ll investigate perspectives of child development, play principles and associated practice in relation to the professional skills of observation, assessment and planning for children.
You’ll identify and discuss the broader political, economic and ethical contexts in which Early Years professional practices are positioned, and reflect on your own ongoing development of professional skills.
You’ll think about how to respond to issues as an individual and within a team, operating within the legal framework. You’ll be able to respond to safeguarding concerns with greater confidence, professional knowledge, skills and practice.
You'll think about how to demonstrate your commitment to family partnerships, and the benefits of parent and carer participation for child learning and development.
You'll also review legislation and best practice related to rights, responsibilities and diversity, and learn how to recognise and challenge discrimination.
Core modules
By examining key theories systematically, you'll discover how thought processes have evolved in areas like memory, perception and problem-solving.
Analysing nature-nurture impacts, you'll see how cognition shapes learning.
Applying these developmental insights, you'll start to see how you can tailor support for each child's needs and abilities.
You’ll analyse ICT integration across different curriculums, identifying developmentally appropriate uses that engage young minds.
Exploring different forms of technology, you'll learn about creative activities aligned to learning goals across all areas from literacy to maths, and develop inclusive digital experiences that spark children's skills and confidence.
Reflect on your work, discuss proposals and carry out independent study on an area of early years education you’re passionate about.
We’ll support you in forming your research proposal, ensuring ethical considerations are taken into account, so you can construct a detailed literature review on your area of interest.
Deepen your expertise by questioning assumptions, investigating what matters to you, and considering impacts. You'll communicate findings to peers, reflect on the research process, and see how evidence-based change in your work drives professional development.
You’ll weigh up strategies used to promote children's psychological and physical resilience in practice, and consider the importance of proactively creating psychologically safe places where children can feel comfortable to talk and share their experiences.
You’ll also think about how children develop emotional intelligence, emotional literacy, resilience building and growth mindsets.
You'll examine internal and external processes for gathering, analysing and applying data - including protocols governing appropriate data sharing.
Gaining insight on common judgment errors like unconscious bias, you'll consider how to minimise subjectivity and maximise fairness.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- case studies
- reflective reports
- essays
- presentations
- group work
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- group activities
- seminars
- tutorials
Teaching staff profiles
Dr Nikki Fairchild
How you'll spend your time
See our partner college website for details of how you'll spend your time on this course:
Supporting you
Even though you'll study your course at a partner college, you'll still be a student of the 1024ºË¹¤³§.
You'll have access to support via video, phone and face-to-face from University teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following University services:
Types of support
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
​Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time – £6,165 per year (subject to annual increase in line with fee cap set by the Government)
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees. So you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in 1024ºË¹¤³§.
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – X310
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the 1024ºË¹¤³§, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.