Home Courses Childhood, Education and Social Work BA (Hons) Childhood with Therapeutic Play with Integrated Foundation Year
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Build your academic knowledge and confidence before your degree begins

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X326
4 years full-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

10th

in the UK for student satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2023

4th

in the UK for overall average positivity in Childhood and Youth Studies

National Student Survey 2023

7th

in the UK for our teaching quality

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

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Overview

Develop both your understanding of children and your therapeutic skills

Our BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Therapeutic Play with Integrated Foundation Year encompasses working with children in a variety of settings and contexts with a focus on utilising therapeutic play approaches.

National Student Survey 2023

Overall average positivity
4th
in the UK for Childhood and Youth Studies
Organisation and management
3rd
in the UK for Childhood and Youth Studies
Learning resources
5th
in the UK for Childhood and Youth Studies

Develop your knowledge and skills

This programme is the perfect preparation to work therapeutically with children and young people in specialist SEND settings, to support children with social, emotional and mental health challenges in mainstream settings, or to undertake further training to become a registered Play Therapist.

Choose your pathway

This unique and innovative course will offer two distinct pathways:

  • ‘Early Childhood’ working with children aged 0-8 years of age which confers Level 3 ‘full and relevant’ status,
  • or ‘Childhood’, which provides the option to work with children and young people across the age range.

Routes for all

We also offer an Integrated Foundation Year option for those looking to develop their academic confidence and skills before beginning a full degree.

On this course you will

  • Develop your academic skills on an integrated foundation year.
  • Investigate, understand and analyse the fast-changing landscape of working with children.
  • Develop your understanding of and skills in utilising therapeutic play approaches.
  • Pursue specific pathways that allow you to centre your learning around your passions and interests.
  • Gain practical experience in real-world environments.

The Course

Develop your practice skills and knowledge of working with children

Studying at university can be challenging but that’s the beauty of studying this course with an integrated foundation year.

Following a year that introduces to the subject and develops your academic skills and confidence, you will study a diverse and interesting range of modules.

The course provides the opportunity to gain professional practice experience making clear links between theory and therapeutic practice.

You will be guided through an exciting range of modules that are specifically designed to increase understanding of children, and to develop therapeutic skills.

Study areas include:

  • Children's Health and Wellbeing
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Play, Creative and Expressive Arts
  • Therapeutic Play
  • Working Therapeutically with Families
  • Being Human

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Final research project

Students in their third year will undertake an independent research project with a therapeutic play focus.

ENRICH sessions

In addition to these modules, a programme of ENRICH sessions will provide exposure to a diverse range of relevant subject presentations including: Developing Resilience, Therapeutic Relationships and The Role of the Play Therapist.

Modules

This module list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Communication Skills

This module aims to develop the intellectual and practical skills that will be of value in a variety of situation and will include the development of self-awareness, problem solving, reflection and reflexive skills.

You will prepare to communicate effectively with a range of people in a complex and diverse society and enable you to identify existing skills and knowledge and to take responsibility for developing and using these skills in a competent way.

The module will introduce you to the ethical issues and professional codes of practice in relation to intervening in the lives of others.

Project

This module is an applied piece of work related to your chosen degree. It will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the foundation year and will enhance your ability to work individually and as part of a team.

During the project, you will develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen future specialisation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate creativity in the design, planning and execution of a project.

Foundation in Knowledge and Skills

In this module, you will develop your basic knowledge and skills to support your academic development and improve your confidence in your academic writing and reading.

Valuing Individual Differences

This module develops your knowledge of atypical development in children and young people.

You will focus on the medical, genetic, and environmental influences on children’s development and evaluate theories of child development to gain a deeper understanding of how individual differences can affect learning.

In doing so, it will develop your thinking on the current discourses about defining special educational needs and disability.

Arts in Education and Society

You will engage with a range of discourses surrounding arts and society and within the processes of teaching and learning.

A range of disciplinary subjects, including Performing Arts, Drama, Theatre, Music, and Visual Art will be explored.

In addition, key concepts such as creativity, design, performance, and aesthetics will be considered from philosophical, pedagogical, and social perspectives.

From Bognor to Bogota and Beyond: An Introduction to the UN and SAGs

In this module, you will be encouraged to look beyond their immediate surrounding to the wider world.

You’ll find out how global issues such as those outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals have an impact on people across the world as well as on their own lives. the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and its role in educational provision will also be considered.

Child Development (0-8 Years)

This module introduces you to the nature of developmental psychology and encourages a critical understanding of psychological theories in relation to children’s development.

Introduction to Childhood

This module aims to introduce you to the multidisciplinary nature of Early Childhood Studies and the different ways in which childhood is viewed, discussed, and analysed.

You will focus on various sociological concepts and perspectives in trying to understand young children’s lives and experiences.

Play, Creativity and Expressive Arts

This module provides you with an understanding of the different perspectives of play in relation to child development and learning.

You will explore the influence of key pioneers on contemporary concepts of play and make links between theory and effective practice in the early years sector.

Safeguarding Children and Integrated Practice

The module will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding agenda and underpinning legislation. You will learn how to apply this in practice with children, parents and colleagues.

The Developing Practitioner

This module enables you to gain assessed experience in a setting that is relevant to early years practice.

Preparing for Professional Practice

The module will introduce you to how theory is linked and applied to effective Early Years practice.

The topics covered in this module will be a precursor to your first practice placement.

The Resilient Child

This module explores current theory and practice around concepts of resilience.

You will explore strategies that can be used by professionals to support the development of resilience in children.

Key themes will include:

  • the amygdala hijack
  • learned optimism
  • ACEs
  • theories of containment
  • transitional objects
  • emotional safety
  • and the promotion of self-awareness.

Childhood in Crisis: Global Perspectives

The module aims to explore international issues in Early Years Education and Care such as understanding globalization and migration and the possible impact it has on children and their families.

You will examine the responsibility of the adult within children’s crisis situations, as well as the adult systems for helping children out of crisis.

In addition, you will explore the impact of crisis on children in the short and long term, as well as the implications for child development and children’s rights.

As part of this, you will have the chance to critically reflect on their own practice and recognise the complexity of caring for babies and young children.

Children’s Health & Wellbeing

The module develops your knowledge and understanding of the issues that surround health and well-being as they affect children, young people into adulthood.

You will explore how 21st century living has highlighted an increasing concern over the health and well-being of children and adults alike and this is reflected in current government agendas.

Preparation for Independent Project

You will explore how to conduct empirical research for your Independent Project, as well as to promote understanding of research within the field of Early Years.

In addition, you will develop your awareness of ‘research mindedness’, as well  as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research approaches as you  link evidence-based research to professional practice.

Rocking the Cradle

This module explores how ethical discussion and legislation have both struggled to keep up with the fast-changing landscape of conception, pregnancy, the birth process, and the care of babies up to the age of two years.

These developments have in turn fed into the sociological changes around the nature of parenting, the family and professional practice.

The nature of attachment is shaped by the experience of pregnancy and the birth process. the first two years of the child’s life are important to various key child development theorists and the module will consider the links between theory and practice in relation to Early Years.

Special Educational Needs and Disability

This module develops your critical understanding of the issues that surround special educational needs and disability (SEND) in society and Early Years settings, with reference to government policy initiatives and legislation.

The history, economic and social dimensions of issues relating to special educational needs and disability will be explored, along with an analysis of the impact upon children, families and working practices.

In addition, the origins and meanings of related terminology will be explored and debated.

The Reflective Practitioner

This module enables you to gain assessed experience in a setting which is relevant to Early Years practice.

This will help you form a critical understanding of the ways in which theory and practice relate to one another within an Early Years setting, as well as to develop appropriate skills and gain experience.

Being Human: Emotions and Behaviour in Social Life

In this module, you will explore the influence of emotions in a range of aspects of social life.

You will examine cross-disciplinary research, drawing from sociology, social psychology and cultural studies.

You will also develop a familiarity with the research will enable students to critique social and political phenomena by identifying the role of emotion in shaping social and political attitudes and behaviour.

Working Therapeutically with Families

In this module, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills of working therapeutically with families facing adversity.

You will consider the impact of family circumstances on the developing child and begin to explore the practitioner role in building a therapeutic alliance and working with resistance.

This module will help to prepare you to work therapeutically with children and young people by first recognising the importance of respect, understanding and compassion when building relationships with the child’s support network, holding in mind that these family members may be facing their own personal difficulties which may impact their level of support or availability for the child or young person.

Children, Stories and the Media

This module uses children’s stories and the media to explore current and past constructs of childhood. Specific examples of these media are used to consider the wider social, cultural and educational issues that surround their production and consumption.

In this module, you will critically examine studies of how children engage with a range of different media that is produced for children.

This includes:

  • books (both fiction and non-fiction)
  • television
  • film
  • the ‘new media’ that is available for children, including other interactive media such as computer games.

You will also consider the ways in which those who study childhood have sought to understand this engagement. The module will take a broad approach, drawing on theories from a range of social science and cultural disciplines.

Crime and Childhood

This module explores children and criminality from various points of view, from offending to court procedures, from explanations of children’s crime to protection of victims, and allow students to draw conclusions about the special status of children and the legal system.

You will examine the ‘social construction of childhood’ both historically and internationally in regard to how children are treated in the criminal justice system.

Case Studies will be used to illustrate how criminal law and childhood is given particular significance, including use of media coverage.

Issues around children and crime are of contemporary relevance, and this module will provide insights into the many avenues of childcare practice that are connected to the criminal justice system.

Graduate Practitioner Placement

This practical placement module builds on theory from taught modules in the programme and placements at both Levels 4 and 5. It gives you opportunities in relevant settings to achieve the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competences. You will complete 25 days in a placement setting and workshop sessions in the university.

Independent Project

The independent project is designed to engage you in a longer-term and analytical piece of research on a topic relevant to Early Childhood Studies. The module includes a focus on the research process. This includes guidance on research design, writing a literature review, application of methodological approach and method(s) used, ethical issues, data collection and analysis.

Leading Professional Practice

This module aims to introduce you to the key factors that affect strategies for leading and managing in Early Years provision. You will develop knowledge and understanding of how to improve practice through working alongside staff, children, families and other professionals.

Adventure Education

This module introduces you to the innovative and adventurous environments in which children can develop, learn and play such as Forest Schools and Beach School.

You will examine the theoretical, psychological, physical and social processes and benefits for children and Early Years professionals/teachers that come with activities away from conventional environments.

The module considers the history and theory that has shaped ‘adventure’ environments in the past, and continue to affect them in the present.

The Digital Child

The module introduces you to the digital experiences of childhood, and the effects of technology on children in a fast-changing world, as you assess the benefits and drawbacks from social, emotional, and behavioural perspectives.

The module examines access to the online world, and policy and parental attempts to control children’s digital consumption.

Therapeutic Play

This module aims to explore and critically analyse the centrality of play in enabling children to make sense of the world around them and their place within that world, especially when experiencing trauma.

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our staff as you gain confidence in your abilities

Teaching

You will learn from expert practitioners and accomplished academics with a wide range of experience within the field of Childhood Studies.

We bring new research together with established theory into the classroom through a mix of direct teaching, seminars, and activity-based learning.

Within your learning sessions, you will be challenged to go further and be encouraged to be proactive, responsive and responsible for your own learning and ideas outside of the classroom.

Our focus on group discussion and the consideration of the thoughts of others allow you to develop your own ideas.

Assessment

It is important that our assessments are designed to meet the various learning needs of students.

We offer a variety of assessment methods that include presentations, assignments, exams, academic posters and placement portfolios.

Experience

Discover facilities that help support your learning

Practice Placements

Gain vital experience within a professional environment to support your learning

As part of our BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Therapeutic Play with Integrated Foundation Year course, you will gain the opportunity to undertake practice placements.

These placements will allow you to work directly within local early years settings as you apply your theoretical learning within a real-world environment.

In both your second and third years, you will complete a practice placement, where the age group you work with will change depending on your chosen pathway.

In your third year, this practical element of the programme will include the delivery of therapeutic interventions.

On this course, you could gain a total of 80 days of work-based placements. You’ll get the chance to attend three different registered organisational settings to gain a mix of experience. You’ll also gain the opportunity to work with babies, 3-5 and 5-7 year olds.

The placements gained in Year’s 1 and 2 (Level 4 and 5) will be counted as ‘full and relevant’ which means with this degree, you will be counted at Level 3 in staff: child ratios.

  • Year One – 25 days
  • Year Two – 30 days
  • Year Three –25 days – Graduate Practitioner Competencies (optional placement)

If you choose to take our dedicated third-year placement module, you will receive a separate certificate stating that you have been awarded the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Course specific costs

You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check costing £40 which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.

Entry Requirements

UCAS
48
tariff points.
GCSE
C/4
in Mathematics and English Language.
T Level
Pass
in Education and Childcare.
IELTS
6.0 overall
with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent.

Non-standard Application Entry Routes: The University has an alternative entry route for applicants who have relevant skills and experience but who do not hold the formal minimum entry qualifications required. Applicants who demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to enter a course of higher education will be asked to complete an entry task involving the completion of specially set assignments.

DBS

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies training applicants are required to have an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.

We strongly suggest that all students sign up for the Disclosure and Barring Service update service for which there is a small annual charge, this makes the DBS portable both during and after the degree.

Failure to sign up for the update service might require the student to gain a further enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check which will incur additional costs.

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