Early Childhood Development and Learning with foundation year

Early childhood development and learning is a field of study and practice that focuses on the crucial years from birth to age eight, when the foundations for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development are established in ways that have lasting consequences for wellbeing and life outcomes. It draws on developmental psychology, education, neuroscience, social policy and professional practice to understand what children need at different stages and how the people and environments around them can best support their flourishing. Those who work in early childhood settings, whether in nurseries, reception classes, early years teams or family support roles, shape the beginnings of children's educational journeys.

At Coventry University this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year, giving you a supported entry into the degree before the main content begins. You will study child development, learning theory, play, communication and language, safeguarding, inclusion, early years policy and the professional skills of the early childhood graduate practitioner. The programme provides the opportunity to gain recognition as an early childhood development graduate practitioner, subject to meeting placement and assessment requirements.

It includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placements, giving you direct experience in early childhood settings and an international perspective on how different societies support young children's development and education.

Graduates of early childhood development programmes work as early years practitioners, graduate lead practitioners, room leaders and managers in nurseries and early years settings, reception class teachers with further qualification, family support workers, children's centre workers, early intervention specialists and early years policy officers. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in education, early childhood education, social work or child and family wellbeing. The combination of developmental knowledge and professional skills the degree develops is valued across all settings that work with young children and their families.