The BA (Hons) Early Childhood degree at Bishop Grosseteste University (BG) has been redesigned by the Early Childhood team and revalidated to now offer students the opportunity to undertake Graduate Practitioner Competencies (GPC).
These sector-endorsed competencies provide students with greater practice experience as they undertake nine Graduate Practitioner Competencies alongside their degree, ensuring they are further equipped with the skills and knowledge for a career in the Early Childhood sector, in addition to a range of modules to support them to be ‘full and relevant’ in the sector.
It is anticipated that these students will seek roles in the sector which allow them to make a ‘significant contribution to a graduate led early years workforce’ (ECSDN, 2020, p. 6), or alternatively will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to progress on to appropriate post-graduate programmes, for example Early Years Teacher (0-5), Teacher (5-11), social work or health and social care professional.
The course has been carefully crafted and designed with support from a range of stakeholders, including our current student body and a range of local settings.
Becky from Bearhugs Nurseries Ltd said they are “excited about the changes to the programme and the options of the GPC Route, ensuring that students are even more equipped for their future careers supporting young children and families”.
Students from the newly validated cohort are also excited to be undertaking this new route. Year 1 student Mel said: “The course has allowed me to explore my options working with children and be myself”.
Emily (year 1) said: “I chose to study this course as I’ve known I wanted to work with children. Just not sure what career. I would like to become either an Early Years Teacher or a Health Play Specialist’.
Olivia (year 1) said: “I chose this course as I wasn’t too sure on my future occupation and felt like this offered me many opportunities and will allow me to explore a range of different sectors to find out what I like”.
The degree offers our students the flexibility to follow a range of Early Years careers, and the Early Years team are excited to see how Bishop Grosseteste University can help them in their careers.
For more information, visit: www.bgu.ac.uk/courses/ecs