Module: ECS5001-20 Professional Practice in an Early Childhood Setting

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Kath Goodsir

Module Tutor Contact Details: k.goodsir@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will offer you the opportunity to put principles and theory into practice. It aims to develop your professional practice in the care, development and learning of children between birth and eight years of age. It will provide you with knowledge and understanding of important aspects of theory and pedagogy as it relates to children’s development and learning. It will also equip you with an understanding of the policy agenda for young children as it applies to practice in an early childhood setting.

Professional practice will enable you to consider the multi-professional/agency nature of provision for young children and their families. Research, reflection and critical evaluation of your own practice will be key aspects in developing an understanding of practice. You will attend an early childhood setting for 7 days. You will be visited in the setting by tutors to discuss progress and module requirements.

You must be in possession of a current DBS certificate in order to take this module. Placements are organised by the Institute for Education Partnership Office. You should be prepared to travel up to one hour by public transport to reach your assigned school where you will be encouraged to take an active role in the life of the classroom working alongside teachers and children. Observation, recording and reflection skills are taught in the seminars to enable you to benefit fully from these visits.

2.Outline syllabus

You will gain an understanding of the following key concepts:

● The image of the child as competent and capable

● The holistic needs and development of the child

● Policy agenda and legislation for young children and their families

● An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage as it applies in practice

● Play as a key way children learn, active learning, an enabling environment and developmentally appropriate practice

● Attachment and positive relationships

● Development and learning theory and links to practice

● Schematic behaviour

● Dispositions for learning

● Curricula and pedagogy as it applies to young children’s learning

● Power relationships, discrimination and inequalities in early childhood settings.

● Children’s rights, equity and agency in an early years setting

● Socio-cultural context and diversity

● Children’s health, well- being and safety including the conditions that enable them to flourish.

● Children constructing and co-constructing meaning

● Symbolic representation

● Observation as a tool to support an understanding of children’s development and dispositions and to assess children’s learning

● Multi-professional working

● The Practitioner as researcher in EY settings

● The roles and responsibilities of a reflective practitioner

There are many fascinating aspects to young children’s care and learning and controversial ideas about the most effective way to support their development. These will be discussed in the context of work based experience. A multi-disciplinary approach will be taken from considering aspects of neuroscience to how social policy impacts on early childhood settings.

Drawing on observations, you will gain in-depth knowledge of how children play, learn and develop.

Practice-based learning is facilitated by university sessions at the beginning and end of the semester. Each session will be a balance of tutor input, student centred discussion and group activity. Tutor generated course material including readings will be provided on Minerva.

In addition, you will attend an early childhood setting for 7 days (approx. 6 hours a day). You will be expected to work independently and provide evidence for a reflective portfolio.

Your practice will be observed by tutor visits to your setting.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Because this is a placement based module, much of your learning will be in your setting in discussion with other practitioners and visiting tutors but there will be sessions for discussion about your placement experience and exploring themes and theories relating to this experience.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Reflective portfolio (5,000 words)

• % Weighting: 100%