Introduction to our Early Childhood Studies degree
Keen to shape young children’s futures? Our Early Childhood Studies degree course in Chelmsford has a placement throughout to allow you to meet the Early Childhood Graduate Competencies.
What is Early Childhood Studies?
You’ll explore the world through a child’s eyes and unlock your potential. Forge a rewarding career with children and families in a variety of early years settings.
Working with young children is hugely rewarding and enormous fun. It can also be very challenging, and it’s a fast-paced sector. We’ll help you develop the skills, knowledge and qualities needed to deliver a high standard of professional practice in the workplace.
Our course has been designed to develop your understanding of professional and inclusive practice, supporting both the child and the family. Using theory and practical experiences you’ll explore current research around key topics including contemporary theories and pedagogical approaches, while building your leadership skills and considering possible careers across the early childhood sector.
You’ll have the opportunity to achieve your Early Childhood Practitioner Competencies, ensuring you are graduating with a full and relevant early years qualification to meet the requirements of the graduate workforce.
If you have already completed a foundation degree (or equivalent), you can gain a full honours degree in just one or two years with our Top-Up options.
Course options
Key facts
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and accreditation
Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC)
When you study with us, you’ll complete the ECGPC (Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies).
This is a professionally recognised framework that’ll enhance your employability and provide some clarity for your prospective employers as to the graduate level of your achievements.
These competencies are included on the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the Department for Education (DfE).
You’ll meet the nine competencies through assessed observation of practice, practice-based tasks and academic assessment.
Specialist facilities
Our Early Childhood Resource and Research Room is packed with toys, games and equipment where you’ll be able to experience a child’s eye view of the world.
Practical experience
As an Early Childhood Studies student at ARU you’ll benefit from:
- placement, throughout your degree individually tailored to enable you to gain experience in a variety of early years settings
- additional volunteering and work experience, further professional development training opportunities, enrichment trips, research groups and various early childhood and education events
- learning the underlying values, principles and philosophies of early childhood education and care
- knowledge of contemporary and competing theories relating to children from birth to eight years, and their families
- developing your communication skills for different needs and audiences
- gaining a globally recognised degree qualification.
Lecturers
Michelle Wisbey
Senior Lecturer
Kay Aaronricks
Head of School
Paulette Luff
Course Leader
Lucie Wheeler
Research Assistant
Careers
We’ve worked with employers in designing our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. We’ve also been guided by The Children’s Workforce Development Council and the Early Years Professional Framework.
Whether in nurseries or pre-schools, you’ll be qualified to work in any registered setting in England. You could also consider a career in educational psychology or social work, with additional training. Or maybe you’ll want to continue your studies at ARU, with options including our MA Education with Early Childhood and PGCE. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Lucy
"To the untrained eye, a game of tag is just children running riot. Look deeper and you see how much that child is learning from a simple game: spatial awareness, teamwork, taking turns, gross motor skills development, listening to instructions…”"
LucyBA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Lucy's blogWant to talk to someone?
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We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Chelmsford
Chelmsford has something for everyone, and our green, modern campus is just ten minutes from the city centre.
Get to know ChelmsfordPlacement available
You have the option to take a placement as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in early years and education.
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