Early Years

Early years education and care is concerned with the most formative period of human development: the years from birth to around eight, when children develop language, social understanding, cognitive capacities and emotional regulation at a rate unmatched at any other point in life. Research in developmental psychology, neuroscience and education has established conclusively that high-quality early years provision makes a lasting difference to children's outcomes, and the professionals who work in this field are therefore doing something genuinely important. Understanding what effective early years practice looks like, and the social policies that shape it, is the core concern of this degree.

At Teesside University, this part-time programme examines social policy and its relationship to early years practice, exploring how policies about professional practice enable effective work with children and families. You will study child development, early years pedagogy, play theory, inclusion and special educational needs, safeguarding, and the legislative and policy frameworks that govern early years settings in England. The part-time mode allows you to study while continuing to work in an early years or related setting, which is common among students on this programme and which gives your academic learning immediate practical context.

The degree develops your ability to think critically about policy and practice, to understand how professional decisions are shaped by social, cultural and political contexts, and to reflect analytically on your own work with children and families. These capacities are central to the development of confident, effective early years professionals.

Graduates go on to work as early years practitioners, nursery managers, children's centre leaders, early years SENCOs, family support workers and in local authority children's services. Some pursue Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status to move into teaching roles in nursery, reception or Key Stage 1 settings. Further study in early childhood education, social policy or education leadership is also a common route for those seeking more senior or specialist roles.