Course Summary

If you currently work with children from birth to seven years, or are looking to learn more about young children’s lives and experiences, this diploma could be of interest to you. You’ll investigate early childhood from national and international perspectives with a focus on the central importance of children’s voices and the participatory nature of young children’s experiences. In this diploma, you'll develop your understanding of policy and practice in early childhood. It will help prepare you further study and gives you a foundation for careers working with young children and their families across all sectors. **Key features of the course** - Takes a holistic approach to understanding early childhood in diverse contexts - Covers young children’s play and creativity within the context of the family and early childhood settings - Encourages critical understanding and reflection on contemporary issues and debates in early childhood - Enhances employability and provides a solid foundation for further study

Course Details - Modules

This qualification has two stages, each comprising of two modules. In Stage 1, you’ll develop an understanding of early childhood from a range of perspectives. Drawing on theory and research, you’ll examine how children grow, develop and learn. Your study in this stage completes with a specific focus on young children’s play and creativity within the context of the family and early childhood settings. You’ll start Stage 2 with a module that investigates critical issues in early childhood and extends themes introduced in Stage 1. For your final Stage 2 module, you’ll have a choice of education, childhood and youth options.

Course Details – Assessment Method

Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

Deadline are not listed for this Course. This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: Application Code are not listed for this Course.

Institution code: O11

Campus Name: Distance Learning

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements


You do not need to be working with young children in order to study this qualification; however to enhance your learning in core practice-focused modules, it is strongly recommended that students gain direct experience with young children (birth to 7 years, 11 months). Students not working with young children (employed or in a voluntary capacity) will need to negotiate opportunities to gain such practical experience. It is your responsibility and that of your employer – not the OU’s - to ensure the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or equivalent if not working in England) required for the setting and country in which you’re working is obtained and that you meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for work with young children. If you are in any doubt about your eligibility, or to find out more, contact the relevant agency in your country.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/early-years/diplomas/diploma-in-early-childhood-w50#entry-requirements

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 0%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 0%

Go onto work and study: 0%

Fees and funding

Additional Fee Information

2022/2023 academic year fees are not yet available.

Provider information

Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ

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