As leading children’s charity Save the Children campaigns for every nursery in England to have a qualified Early Years teacher by 2010, Buxton & Leek College is offering two different pathways to a Foundation Degree to allow practitioners to learn `on the job`.
The qualification, on offer at both Buxton and Leek College campuses, is aimed at those working in nurseries and schools with children under 8 and learning has been accelerated at the Leek Campus to allow students to complete their Foundation Degree in just two years instead of the original three. Those studying at Buxton Campus can follow the traditional three-year course. Successful students can then go on to complete a top up course in the third or fourth year to qualify for a full BA Honours degree.
Buxton & Leek College early years tutor Mick Brown explained: “Save the Children is calling for the Government to invest in better quality childcare and the charity wants to see every nursery or organisation serving the under 8s to employ a qualified Early Years teacher.
“We provide an affordable way for nurseries to achieve this target through our Foundation Degree courses which involve mainly work-based learning with a mentor. It’s a great pathway for those working with young children to take as it allows them to get qualified to degree level while being employed and funding is available for the course that is not means tested.”
From this September, students in Leek can take the fast track to getting qualified by completing their Foundation Degree in two years instead of the traditional three. The qualification is validated by the University of Derby but delivered locally through College Campuses in both Leek and Buxton. Successful students can progress to a full Honours Degree in either Early Childhood Studies, Education or Health and Social Care.
For more information on the course, contact the College on 0800 074 0099 or visit the college website at www.blc.ac.uk
