Early Years Services (Childcare) Foundation Degree
Course level: 4/5
Course code: Q2078
14/09/2026
Is this course right for me?
Delivered in partnership with The University of Wolverhampton*, the Foundation Degree in Early Years’ Service is designed for professionals currently working in early year’s settings—such as nurseries, children’s centres, or family support services—who are seeking to enhance their qualifications and advance their careers.
This degree offers a robust platform for professional growth, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to take on more specialist, leadership, or managerial roles within the sector. It deepens your understanding of child development theories, learning processes, contemporary practices to supporting and managing behaviour and the educational and care needs of children from birth to 19 years, drawing on current research and best practice.
You will explore how to effectively support families, provide pastoral care, and respond to the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The course also fosters reflective practice and critical thinking, enabling you to evaluate and implement inclusive, age-appropriate teaching approaches aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Throughout the programme, there is a strong focus on developing your personal and professional attributes, including leadership, communication, and collaborative working. You’ll gain insight into current legislation, policy frameworks, and service developments that shape the early years landscape.
Upon successful completion, you’ll be well-positioned to progress to the BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion, with Childhood and Family Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, further enhancing your career prospects and professional impact.
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
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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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Then it’s time to apply.
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