Studying for Your Early Years Degree

A ONE STOP SHOP of accessible information for all early years students to help you succeed in your degree, increase your employability skills and develop as an ethical and critically reflective practitioner.

Part one gives guidance for students about learning in HE specifically in the context of early childhood education and care, including course requirements, academic skills and core knowledge. Chapters cover students’ roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, understanding policy, and professionalism and ethical practice. The second part of the book looks explicitly at applying this knowledge and understanding in the workplace before tackling the final research project. 

Part 1: Learning in higher education

1. Preparing for university and making effective use of induction
2. How to become competent and confident in your learning
3. Becoming a critically reflective thinker and learner
4. Critical reading, critical writing and referencing
5. Assessment and feedback
6. Understanding and using policy and legislation
7. Learning in a digital age
8. Exploring creativity
9. Working with others at university 

 Part 2: Applying learning to the workplace

10. Learning in the workplace
11. Becoming a reflective practitioner
12. Safeguarding: understanding your responsibilities
13. Learning to be an ethical practitioner
14. Doing your research project
15. What next?

Jackie Musgrave is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Early Childhood at the University of Worcester.  She qualified as a sick children’s nurse and then taught early childhood care and education at a college of Further Education.  She has taught Higher Education students for the past 10 years. Jackie has a Masters degree from the University of Sheffield, where her research focused on an aspect of practice-based learning for level 3 students. Her doctorate research examined the effect of chronic health conditions on young children’s inclusion in their early education and she has just been awarded her PhD.

Nicola Stobbs initially trained as a primary school teacher, and worked as a class teacher for 5 years.  She worked at a pre-school and was promoted to the manager’s position, running the setting for another 12 years.  She has an MA in Early Childhood and also gained Early Years Professional Status.  During her time as a setting manager Nicola was a mentor for many students on placement.  She is committed to providing excellent care for children and supporting students to become the excellent practitioners that children deserve.  She now works at the University of Worcester supporting student practitioners.

Maggi Savin-Baden is Professor of Education at the University of Worcester. She has researched and evaluated staff and student experiences of learning for over 20 years. Maggi has a strong publication record of over 40 research publications and 13 books, 6 in the field of problem-based learning. She is currently completing a book on Researching  Education for a Digital Age,. In her spare time she bakes, runs, rock climbs and is about to undertake her first Olympic distance triathlon.