You will learn to draw on a range of psychological, sociological and educational perspectives to create your own personal philosophy for working with children from birth to seven years.

Exploring childhood through the concepts of philosophy, you will delve into the definition of childhood and the relationship of children to rights, risks, moral responsibility and social education.

Explore a range of approaches to research methodology and gain an understanding of the ethical considerations related to research. This module will provide an excellent foundation for you to develop your dissertation in year three.

This module introduces you to the range of professionals and approaches in addressing child welfare and providing effective support for families, whilst making links with the employability aspects of the course.

Further develop the knowledge and skills you gained in your first year as you increase your employability after graduation. You'll secure a three-week placement in a setting of your choosing to gain experience of working with or for the needs of children, young people or their families. You'll draw upon learning from your other modules to critically reflect on this experience and demonstrate knowledge of the main policies and ethical principles that underpin the profession. Drawing upon research and theory, you'll reflect on your own personal and professional development, and how this relates to your graduate employability portfolio.

Develop your knowledge and understanding of how play based pedagogical approaches support and promote learning in early childhood. You'll apply a range of perspectives on the holistic development of children in the 0-5 age range and consider the characteristics of play. This module will explore the importance of social and cultural contexts, including the home, school and wider community, for the development of playful pedagogies. You'll identify and evaluate the many ways in which children’s interests and priorities are expressed through their playful engagements, as they arise from their own life experiences. You'll learn about the multiple ways in which children make meaning of these through their play.

Gain an in-depth understanding of the concept of neurodiversity and its implications for education. Through a critical lens, this module will examine the social and cultural factors that shape our understanding of neurodiversity and the impact of traditional educational practices and policies on neurodivergent learners. You'll also explore alternative approaches to education that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse learners. You'll develop knowledge and skills for working with neurodivergent learners, including strategies for creating supportive and accessible learning environments, fostering positive relationships with learners and their families. This will include how to advocate for the rights and needs of neurodivergent individuals within educational contexts. By the end of the module, you'll have a deep understanding of the importance of embracing neurodiversity in educational settings and the role you could play in creating more inclusive learning environments.

Examine broader aspects of education, beyond statutory schooling. This module will explore the diverse forms of education available in a range of settings. For example, alternative and related off site provision, further education, higher education, libraries, museums, Youth Offending Institutions, prisons, and community provision. You'll examine both the theoretic and practical issues involved in delivering education in these setting and the value of these broader forms of education. We'll also focus upon the potential of these broader education experiences in terms of your future career options.

Explore, explain and analyse complex and challenging childhood issues through the medium of film. Your studies on this module will use film as a vehicle to examine the paradigm of the child and how the idea is socially contested and constructed across time and place. You'll develop the skills and understanding you'll need for informed inclusive practice when working with children and families. Working with children and families can include numerous contexts and cover many professional disciplines such as education, social work, health and law enforcement. Use of film will enable you to develop new ways of seeing, applying theory and analysis to be better understand the lived lives of children and their experience of childhood.

Examine the key challenges facing contemporary society and the potential impact upon children and families. You'll explore aspects of policy and legislation in relation to the sustainability agenda. This module will enable you to engage with theory, research and academic literature and gain an understanding and knowledge of the impact this may have on the UK and other societies. You'll be encouraged to reflect how to equip yourself for the challenges of your career and future practice.

You'll build your knowledge and skills to increase your employability after graduation. You'll secure a four-week placement in a setting of your choosing to gain experience of working with or for the needs of children, young people or their families. You'll draw upon learning from your other modules to critically reflect on this experience and demonstrate knowledge of the main policies and ethical principles that underpin the profession. Drawing upon research and theory, you'll reflect on your own personal and professional development, and how this relates to your graduate employability portfolio.

Complete a research-based inquiry into an area of education/educational concern. This module will cover all aspects of the research process, from design through to presenting a written dissertation. You'll choose your own research focus, linked with your individual career aspirations. You'll need to put together a research proposal and a mandatory university ethics approval. Your dissertation will demonstrate engagement with the research process, analytical skills, and the ability to mobilise theory and evidence in synthesising new arguments.

Develop insight into the varied nature of the transitions that young children experience; both inside and outside the early years setting. This module will locate those transitions within a wider theoretical context.

Engage with a diversity of approaches, such as literature, research and practice, to gain a greater understanding of how to work with vulnerable families in the UK. You’ll be equipped to critically analyse the factors which impact upon vulnerable families in contemporary society and the role of the state in terms of a spectrum of interventions.

This module explores childhood, youth and the criminal justice system, drawing on theory and research from criminology and childhood studies. You’ll consider different explanations for offending; the impact of inequalities related to social class, gender and ethnicity; and different forms of social and state intervention in the lives of children and young people.

Build upon your experiences within the arts and your knowledge of pedagogy and representation. This module will focus on how your knowledge of arts and pedagogy can support daily teaching and specific interventions through an inclusive lens. You'll explore the role of creative practitioners, cultural organisations, specialist therapy providers and Inclusive storytellers within Inclusive Education. You'll study how the creative arts can lead to innovative learning and have a positive effect on children’s development and well-being. You'll understand best practice in relation to promoting creativity and learning within inclusive education. This module will address creative practice within inclusion, such as through specific interventions, and will consider how the creative arts can support the learning, well-being and development of different learners.

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the forest school pedagogy and approach. You'll focus on children learning in the outdoors, in an outdoor area defined as a forest school space, where experiences are about play and are child-led as far as possible. Teaching and learning will combine fundamental principles of forest school with both class based and practical learning experiences.

Explore the dynamics of race in education and how it affects the life chances of global majority students. You'll pay particular attention to debates around participation, attainment, and labour market characteristics. The module will also touch on issues of student decision making, engagement with curricula which includes teaching, learning and assessment. You'll develop a general understanding of race and ethnicity and how racial dynamics can be analysed within educational settings, as well as, the broader outcomes of discrimination on global majority students.

Explore the influences on the health of children and families. You'll evaluate the key principles and approaches to health promotion such as community development and healthy public policy. The module will enable you to understand the key health issues when working with children and families.

Combine practical study of Makaton, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and British Sign Language with theoretical understanding. You'll study the role of inclusive practice in meeting language and communication needs within wider educational settings. This module will combine a theoretical understanding of language and communication needs in UK education settings with a focus on cutting-edge research. You'll analyse contemporary issues, pedagogies and research focused upon inclusive practice. You'll also study enabling pedagogies relating to language and communication within mainstream, SEN and alternative education settings.