Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning

The Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning course enables you to develop the skills to progress in your career working with children, alongside your job.

This course is aimed at early years and education practitioners who are working with children up to the age of 11 (or the developmental equivalent) and requires you to attend for half a day each week. You'll study through one of our partner colleges.

This vocational award is a work-based course, and your assignments and lessons are all designed to benefit your professional development. You'll build upon your experience through topics such as child development, safeguarding, creativity and critical thinking, and working in partnership with parents. College sessions include lectures, as well as tutorials and seminars. The course also incorporates a great deal of group work, which will be an opportunity to share experiences with fellow professionals working in a range of settings.

There is plenty of support available to help you get the most out of your course. You will be given an academic tutor who will have regular one-to-one meetings with you. You'll also nominate someone from within your own workplace, such as a manager or colleague, to become your mentor. Additionally, you'll benefit from small learning groups and access to facilities and support at your college and the University of Reading.

In the National Student Survey 2024, 96% of our students said the course has developed the knowledge and skills they think they will need for their future (National Student Survey 2024, 95.73% of responders from the Institute of Education).

To apply for the course, please visit one of our partner colleges' websites:

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.

Overview

The Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning course enables you to develop the skills to progress in your career working with children, alongside your job.

To apply for the course, please visit one of our partner colleges' websites:

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

This degree is not included in our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

You must be working/volunteering at least 2.5 days a week in a school or relevant setting, and are normally expected to have obtained:

An NQF Level 3 qualification in a work-related area;
GCSE English Language at a grade C or or Level 2 equivalent.

Any candidate who does not fully meet the entry criteria (for example, who does not have Maths GCSE or the specified amount of full-time work experience but may have part-time and/or volunteering experience) is invited to submit their application, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Compulsory modules:

Professional Skills in the Children’s Workforce

Grow as a professional within the children’s workforce, exploring the importance of effective communication and the dynamics of a team. You will identify areas of collaborative and culturally appropriate practice as you build your competence and confidence as an effective practitioner within early years/educational settings.

Partnership with Parents

Explore the value of working with parents and learn what factors support or hinder successful partnerships. You will consider policy development and the initiatives and frameworks that support partnership working.

Theories of Development and learning

Examine ideas, concepts and theories, pioneering and contemporary, of child development and learning in order to gain a sound theoretical understanding of the key issues in child development between birth and 11 years.

The Child in Society (1)

Explore methods of assessment and provision of support in relation to special educational needs. You will focus on health and well-being and the impact it has on development and learning while also studying the importance of effective feedback and communication between child, practitioner and parent.

Learning Spaces

Explore the physical, emotional and temporal characteristics of a high-quality learning environment that practitioners create for children in early years/educational settings (0-11). You will consider different theoretical and legislative perspectives that are taken to evaluate how effective an environment is in enabling children’s learning and development.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules:

Practitioner Research

Develop your understanding of the research process and the relevance of research for informing practice. You will develop your knowledge on core principles and practice of research within the early years and primary frameworks as you undertake your own independent research topic.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

Explore key theories on the nature of creative learning and the restrictions within which practitioners work. You will look at the role of creativity in supporting flexible thinking in early years, consider freedom and control elements in creativity and the relationship between creativity and other areas of development.

The Child in Society (2)

Explore the nature of childhood in both a contemporary and historical setting. You will consider the differences between British and international views to understand the influence of society on a child and study the legislative framework relevant to child carers and educators to ensure safeguarding.

Supporting development and learning for 0 - 11 years

Focus on curriculum areas and frameworks that underpin practice within early years and consider the ways practitioners can effectively assess through methods and assessment.

Optional modules:

International Perspectives

Widen your perspective as you consider developmental and pedagogical theories beyond the UK and Europe. You will consider perspectives and beliefs surrounding qualifications, training and philosophies.

Leadership in the Children’s Workforce

Examine the role of leadership in early years educational settings. You will explore the principles and practices of effective leadership and consider how skills might be acquired and implemented in the workplace.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £7,900

New international students: Not applicable

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Depending on how you are paying your tuition fee, you may not be required to pay this before you start your course. If you take out a tuition fee loan, you will only be required to start making payments when you are earning more than a set amount. Contact us for details.

Careers

This course aims to develop your reflective and analytical skills and increase your self-confidence. It will enable you to build on your experience as an early years care and/or education practitioner and develop new strategies for supporting children and working alongside colleagues and parents.

As a graduate you will be well-placed to take on increased responsibility within the workplace and move into management roles. You may also decide to study for further professional qualifications. For example, you could take a year-long top-up course (based on 1 day's attendance each week at the University of Reading) to turn your Foundation Degree into a BA. This will give you further opportunities for professional development, for example, gaining Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status.

Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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