Are you enthusiastic about early childhood education and ready to take the next step in your academic and professional growth? Our BA (Hons) work-based degree programme is the perfect opportunity for individuals who have already completed a suitable Foundation Degree or Higher Education Diploma in Early Childhood. This programme seamlessly blends practice-based learning with taught sessions delivered at Grantham College on one day a week, ensuring you can maintain your current work or volunteer commitments.
This one-year top-up course is run in conjunction with Lincoln Bishop University. For help with your application, please contact Lincoln Bishop University on 01522 583648 or wmail admissions@lincolnbishop.ac.uk.
This qualification is awarded by Lincoln Bishop University and delivered by Grantham College & University Centre.
This programme is the natural progression for students who have completed a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education. It is also open to applicants with other, similar qualifications from Lincoln Bishop or other institutions. The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice degree offers a flexible route to gaining a bachelor's qualification while continuing to work or volunteer regularly in a setting that supports learning. It may appeal to those working in early childhood settings, including nurseries and reception classes in schools, as well as in wider community, support, or care roles where early learning and development are a core focus.
The BA (Hons) degree is a work-based programme that combines practical learning in an Early Years setting with one full day a week in college. This format is designed to make it possible to continue working or volunteering while you study.
Throughout the one-year programme, you will build on your previous study and professional experience to develop a deeper understanding of current issues, practice, and practitioner research in early childhood education. The programme welcomes applicants from a range of early childhood contexts, including nurseries, preschool settings, reception classes in schools, childminders, home-based care, and community projects that support the learning and development of young children and their families.
The modules will encourage you to critically reflect on your own practice, analyse key systems and policies, and explore professional challenges through topics such as leadership, contemporary social and political issues, and critical approaches to early childhood pedagogy. You will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of the complex factors that contribute to children’s learning and development. Building on the knowledge and understanding gained from your foundation degree, this course aims to stretch and deepen your insight into how to support children by exploring alternative perspectives on child development.
Throughout the programme, the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice course incorporates the full and relevant criteria set by the Department for Education. However, this can only be achieved if the student holds a suitable Level 2 qualification in English. You will also undertake an independent research project to support your development as a graduate practitioner.
Typically, a variety of assessment methods are used including presentations, discussions, debates, poster presentations, essays, portfolios of work, case studies and reflections. All assessments allow you to reflect on your practice and theory as you evidence your learning, building on your personal strengths to develop clear communication skills to share your knowledge and understanding.
This course allows you to study and continue to work. It is a flexible qualification covering the broad range of settings and contexts in which services such as education, health and social care are provided for 0 – 8-year-olds. Students undertaking the course remain in employment, or as volunteers, over the academic year in the same manner as the Foundation Degree.
Staff profile: Emma Marshall. Emma has been involved in education for over 25 years. Following her first-degree BA (Hons) in geography from University of Birmingham, Emma did her PGCE with the University of Lancaster and worked as a teacher in Foundation stage and key stage 1 classrooms across Lincolnshire, she was also SENCO in two different Primary Schools. She then took a sideways step and took a role as Deputy Head of a large Montessori Nursery school. During that time she developed her passion for outdoor learning becoming an accredited Forest School Leader. From 2018 Emma has worked at Grantham College teaching and leading the Lincoln Bishop Foundation Degrees. She has recently completed her MA in Professional Studies at Lincoln Bishop University.
Graduate opportunities have enabled students to attain managerial positions within their sector, to lead practice with their setting. Many go on to further study to become teachers through PGCE routes, or gain a professional status. Others take on professional roles in areas such as special educational needs, mentoring, subject support, school, family and welfare liaison roles in the wider educational community and with local authorities working with the full range of age groups and sectors.
