Skip to content

FdA Early Childhood Studies

  • 5

    Level
    Level 5

  • Duration
    2 years

  • Start Date
    September 2025

  • Venue
    Norfolk House campus

  • Course Code
    F0093

Start Date

  • September 2025, Full Time, Day

Download Course Specification

Summary

Key info

  • Level 5, 1 day/week, across 2 years
  • Early Years Educator status (EYES)
  • Accredited by DfE for meeting full and relevant criteria, to count in ratios
  • Validated by the University of East Anglia
  • Opportunity to progress onto our Level 6 BA (Hons) Top-up Childhood Studies
  • A programme that is current and responsive to the needs of the sector, focusing on the ages 0-8years.

Interwoven threads of theory, practice and professional development combine to provide students with a solid foundation on which to scaffold their future, developing opportunities to access multiple pathways in the sector.

A highlight of some of the new modules include:

  • The Science of Play
  • Early Life Transitions
  • Understanding Additional Needs

Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, group work, presentations, practical sessions, work-based learning, projects and seminars - providing students with opportunities for personalised support, tailored discussions and with the benefits of small groups.

Strong partnerships with students' workplaces, allow students to embed theory into practice, whilst developing their professional and employability skills.

Students on the programme are required to gain experience within the Early Childhood Sector for approximately 2 days a week*, over the duration of the course, to meet Early Years Educator status requirements. It is the student's responsibility to source their own place to volunteer/work. However, please do get in touch if you would like support, as we work closely with a variety of external partners across Norfolk, and would be delighted to put you in touch with them.
Likewise, if you are an employer, and would like to offer a paid/voluntary place to a student studying one of our degree programmes, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

If you have any specific questions, please contact: Philippa Sutton - Course Leader, Philippa.sutton@ccn.ac.uk
UCAS Course code L520

Why our College?

Flexible study options

Most of our courses require two days per week attendance at college. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

Smaller class sizes

Our smaller class sizes mean you get all the support you need during your studies. This is a crucial difference to larger universities and provides you with access to your lecturers when you need them.

Outstanding progression

97% of our full time graduates and 100% of our part time graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after completing their degree (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes, 2019, for CCN, published by Office for Students)

Entry Requirements

64 UCAS Tariff Points - from A Levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced levels, BTEC, City and Guilds diplomas, Open University credits, Access to HE Diplomas, and T Levels are accepted.
You may also be eligible for a contextualised offer for this programme, please see our Contextualised Offer page for further details and to check your eligibility https://www.ccn.ac.uk/degrees/contextualised-offers/

We will also accept applications from students who have passed, or are predicted to pass one of the following programmes:-
T Level: Education and Early Years (Assisting Teaching) L3
T Level: Education and Early Years (Early Years Educator) L3
BTEC Health & Social Care Extended Diploma Level 3
Access to Higher Education: Childhood Studies
or who have successfully completed one of the following apprenticeships:
Early Educator Apprenticeship Standard L3
Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3

For international applications Academic IELTS at level 6 (minimum 5.5 in all components) is required. International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the International Students webpage

Applicants should have sufficient and appropriate prior experience in childcare and an appropriate level 3 qualification and show the potential for successful study at HE level, commitment to study and work in the sector and commitment to the work-experience component. Applicants with appropriate prior experience in childcare, but who do not hold an appropriate level 3 qualification, may also be considered.

Successful applicants will need to be working or volunteering in an early years' setting for the duration of the course and will hold a valid DBS.

This programme provides has Early Years Educator status.

Assessment

Assessments are varied and innovative and are aimed to develop transferable skills to support employability. They include essays, journals, individual and group presentations, academic posters, reports, portfolio/CPD building, professional discussion, examination, and exhibitions.

Progression

Students can progress onto the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (Top-Up) at CCN

Career Progression

Students can progress into a variety of careers including, but not limited to, Teaching Assistants, Nursery Practitioners / Managers or Play Therapists.

Fees

£9,250 per year (for UK students)

For international students (students from outside of the UK), fees are set at £14,335 per year

Where Next?

Why our College?

Flexible study options

Most of our courses require two days per week attendance at college. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

Smaller class sizes

Our smaller class sizes mean you get all the support you need during your studies. This is a crucial difference to larger universities and provides you with access to your lecturers when you need them.

Outstanding progression

97% of our full time graduates and 100% of our part time graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after completing their degree (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes, 2019, for CCN, published by Office for Students)