FdA Childhood Studies: Play

Key facts

• take advantage of Glyndwr University’s landmark Centre for the Child, Family and Society.
• National Students Survey showed a satisfaction rate of 96% for students studying their foundation degree with us.
• We have an experienced, friendly and supportive team who fully understand the challenges of balancing study with family and work commitments.
• The tutor team have professional backgrounds from playwork, teaching, childcare and social work. We are all currently active in research and advisory roles within our professional fields.
• We welcome and encourage visits to the campus to work directly with the team. We hold regular study support days (on Saturdays) for those who are able to attend.

Key factsCourse content FdA Childhood Studies

Developed for childcare, education and play professionals working either directly with children or in an advisory position, this course will support you to gain specialist knowledge and to challenge current practice. The foundation degree integrates academic and work-based learning, supporting practitioners to understand and work with the link between theory and practice. We offer a range of assessments (no exams) from those which can be used to support practice, i.e. leaflets, posters, case studies, and observations to the more academic portfolios and essays. We offer a balance between assessments which support your professional practice and those which encourage your academic growth. We aim to develop the knowledge and skills that employers need.

In your first year (level 4) everyone studies the same, however you do have an optional module at the end of the year. You will study:

• Academic and Professional Skills for Practitioners
• Understanding the Child and Childhood
• Safeguarding Children

and

• Understanding Early Years Curricula

or

• Understanding the Playing Child

At level 5 you will continue your study with the following core modules:

• Working with Children and Families in Society
• Exploring Research Skills

• Research in Practice

and modules which are specific to your chosen degree.

FdA Childhood Studies: Play

• Playworking
• Places for Play

Career opportunities

This is a highly topical area of study as current policy and legislation is leading to demand for experts within the children’s workforce. The aim of this foundation degree is to develop you further as a professional in your own chosen field. Many of our students undertaking the foundation degree have moved up the career ladder both through promotion and into advisory, senior roles.

Entry requirements & applying

To start the foundation degree you will need:

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification i.e. NVQ, BTEC etc
• At least two years experience working with or supervising practitioners working with children
• Current employment working with or supervising practitioners working with children for at least 10 hours per week
• Agreement from your employer to support your study in terms of access to documents and learning experiences. Your employer will be asked to sign a Learning Agreement. (Not applicable in all circumstances i.e. childminders etc)
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB) (DBS/CRB from current employer is accepted)
• Access to a computer and internet connection at home
• A satisfactory interview (interviews can be conducted by telephone).

To start or progress to the BA (Hons) Level 6 top-up you will need:

• Satisfactory Completion of a related Foundation Degree
• GCSE English Grade C or Basic Skills level 2 in literacy*

• Access to a computer and internet connection at home
• A satisfactory interview (interviews can be conducted by telephone).