Early Years Services (Childcare) Foundation Degree
Course level: 4/5
Course code: Q2078
21/09/2026
Is this course right for me?
Delivered in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton*, this Foundation Degree is designed for professionals working in early years settings, including nurseries, children’s centres and family support services, who want to enhance their qualifications and progress their careers.
The programme develops your understanding of child development, learning and inclusive practice while preparing you for leadership and specialist roles across the early years sector.
What You’ll Study
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and Early Intervention
- Family Wellbeing, Resilience and Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Child Development through Play and Outdoor Learning
- SEND, inclusion and pastoral support
- Leadership, communication and professional practice
- Current legislation, policy and best practice in early years services
Career Opportunities
Upon completion, you could progress into roles such as:
- Lead Early Years Practitioner
- Nursery Manager
- Family Support Worker
- Family Intervention Worker
- Children’s Centre Practitioner
- Community, Youth and Education Welfare Support Worker
Next Steps and Progression Routes
- Top up to degree level by progressing to the BA (Hons) Childhood, Family and Special Educational Needs, Disability, Inclusion and Childhood and Family Studies
- Further progression towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Flexible entry into health, community and social service sectors
Fees and Financial Support
HE Tuition Fee: £4,237
You may be eligible for Higher Education financial support if you do not already hold a degree-level qualification. For further information, visit the financial support page or contact the Student Hub at the CLQ or Wellington Road campus.
Why Choose This Course?
Gain the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to support children, families and communities while opening pathways to leadership positions and further study within the early years, education and family support sectors.
Course details
Entry Requirements:
To access this course you are required to:
- Be employed or have one-to-two years’ experience working with children and families post qualifying or be in a long-term voluntary placement in an early years setting
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in a related subject – eg NVQ Level 3, Diploma in Childcare and Education, BTEC National Diploma, NNEB Diploma or Level 3 Diploma Teaching assistant
We also offer the opportunity to accredit prior certificated learning at Level 4 through the APL system
You will also be required to have a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check
What will I learn?
During this course you will study the following topics:
- Reflective practitioner
- The role of play in childhood
- Child development
- Safeguarding
- Children, family and society
- Language and literacy in the early years
- Developing critical reflection and practice
- Developing knowledge and understanding in young children
- Families and communities in context
- Research methods
What skills will I gain?
By studying this course you will:
- Develop practical, personal and professional attributes
- Gain knowledge and understanding of early year’s policy and practice
- Be able to challenge assumptions and responding to different views in an enterprising way
- Adopt collaborative ways of working with children, parents and other professionals
- Become digitally literate, share knowledge, reflect on practice and develop professionals who are enterprising with their ideas
How will I be assessed?
Throughout the course you will be assessed in the following ways:
- Practical, written and online assessments
- Written assignments
- In class assessments
- Presentations
- Viva Voce (verbal assessment)
What can I do next?
Completion of this course will enable you to:
- Progress to a the BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion, with Childhood and Family Studies
- Pursue a career in early years’ education in a number of roles including teaching, social work, health education, early year’s management, children’s information services, play services and community family support work
- Apply for early years’ professional status through the best practice network
Future careers
Undecided on your future?
Our Future Finder tool can help you explore options and match them to our courses. City of Wolverhampton College partners with employers and leading universities, ensuring our qualifications are relevant and designed to help you succeed.
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