Early Years

Early years is the study and professional practice concerned with the development, wellbeing, and education of children from birth to around five years of age. It is a field that draws on developmental psychology, education, health, social work, and policy to understand how young children grow and learn, and how the environments and relationships around them support or hinder that development. The quality of early childhood experience has long-term consequences for outcomes across health, education, and wellbeing, making early years one of the most significant areas of public policy and professional practice.

At Birmingham Newman University, this two-year full-time programme is designed for students who want to develop professional expertise in early years settings, whether they are entering the field or seeking to formalise experience they already have. You will study child development theory, early years curriculum frameworks, observation and assessment, safeguarding, inclusion, and the partnerships with families and other professionals that characterise good early years practice. The programme's shorter duration reflects its applied and professional focus, and practice-based learning alongside academic study is a core feature.

Graduates of early years programmes work as early years practitioners, nursery managers, and early years teachers in settings including nurseries, children's centres, reception classes, and childminding. Many graduates use the qualification as a stepping stone to further study and professional qualification, including Early Years Teacher Status or postgraduate study in education or early childhood. The sector is regulated and professionally structured, and a degree-level qualification opens routes to leadership and management roles in early years provision that are not available to practitioners with lower-level qualifications.