COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

The early years of a child’s life are recognised as the most crucial in their development. You could be at the heart of their learning, helping to shape their identity and giving them the best possible start in life.

If you aspire to be a specialist who leads learning and development in an early years childcare setting, or you have the entrepreneurial ambition to create your own business in this field, this course is ideal. Combining a thorough academic grounding with practical experience, it will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective leader working with children, from birth up to the age of five, and their families.

You will explore a variety of issues relating to early years policy, practice and research, including children’s health, safety and wellbeing, and their relationships with families, wider society and the environment. You will also cover the legal, business, financial and ethical aspects surrounding early years provision, as well as developing the leadership skills needed to run your own childcare business.

Our tutors are committed to helping you grow and will provide you with access to the latest research in teaching, learning and educational leadership. You will be taught by a highly skilled and experienced team, including Course Director Sharon Colilles, who has owned and operated a private nursery and whose research examines how principle models of play can influence and shape children’s identities.

As well as the opportunity to network with guest speakers at the University, you will benefit from visiting childcare providers in the area, where you will learn about effective methods for operating a business to help you develop your own ideas and plans.