Early Years Foundation Course
NCFE Level 3

Overview
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) became effective in all early years settings from September 2008.  From this date it will be compulsory for all providers of early years and child care settings to deliver the EYFS framework.

This course provides guidance for practitioners on meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and it aims to provide useful advice and detailed information for supporting children’s learning and development.

The course covers child development, relationships and environment and offers useful hints on planning and resourcing together with ‘reflective practitioner’ exercises throughout which test the knowledge and understanding of the learner.

The principles of the EYFS, which guide the work of all early years practitioners, are grouped into four themes these being:

• A unique child
• Positive relationships
• Enabling environments
• Learning and development

Each of these themes are broken down into commitments and covered in detail to guide practitioners through the framework and offer assistance on how to deliver the framework effectively.  The course also encourages practitioners to reflect on their own practice and consider for themselves ways of enhancing their provision taking into account the principles of the EYFS.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and practitioners play a major role in the impact of their early years which mould their future opportunities.  This course will ensure that practitioners deliver the EYFS effectively because children really do matter.

Qualification
NCFE Level 3

Study Method:
The course is designed for study by distance learning at work or at home.  Students receive course manual, assignments and studyguide plus tutor support by post and email

Tutor Support:
You will receive full tutor support by e-mail and post for a full year from the day you receive the course. To complete this course it will take in the region of 90 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student.

Assessment:
As you work through this course you are required to complete a series of tutor marked assignments, which you can then send to your tutor for marking. There is no word count for these assignments, however you do have to prove to your tutor that you have fully understood the question asked.

Course Content
THE EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE

SECTION ONE - A UNIQUE CHILD

UNIT ONE  CHILD DEVELOPMENT
1.1 Child Development
1.2 A Skilful Communicator
1.3 A Competent Learner

UNIT TWO  INCLUSIVE PRACTICE
2.1 Equality and Diversity
2.2 Children’s Entitlements
2.3 Early Support

UNIT THREE  KEEPING SAFE
3.1 Being Safe and Protected
3.2 Discovering Boundaries
3.3. Making Choices

UNIT FOUR  HEALTH AND WELL BEING
4.1 Growing and Developing
4.2 Physical Well-being
4.3 Emotional Well-being

SECTION TWO – POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

UNIT FIVE  RESPECTING EACH OTHER
5.1 Understanding Feelings
5.2 Friendships
5.3 Professional Relationships

UNIT SIX  PARENTS AS PARTNERS
6.1 Respecting Diversity
6.2 Communication
6.3 Learning Together

UNIT SEVEN  SUPPORTING LEARNING
7.1 Positive Interactions
7.2 Listening to Children
7.3 Effective Teaching

UNIT EIGHT  KEY PERSON
8.1 Secure Attachments
8.2 Shared Care
8.3 Independence

SECTION THREE – ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS

UNIT NINE  OBSERVATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
9.1 Starting with the Child
9.2 Planning
9.3 Assessment

UNIT TEN  SUPPORTING EVERY CHILD
10.1 Children’s Needs
10.2 The Learning Journey
10.3 Working Together

UNIT ELEVEN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
11.1 The Emotional Environment
11.2 The Outdoor Environment
11.3 The Indoor Environment

UNIT TWELVE THE WIDER CONTEXT
12.1 Transitions and Continuity
12.2 Multi-agency Working
12.3 The Community

SECTION FOUR – LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

UNIT THIRTEEN PLAY AND EXPLORATION
13.1 Learning Through Experience
13.2 Adult Involvement
13.3 Contexts for Learning

UNIT FOURTEEN ACTIVE LEARNING
14.1 Mental and Physical Involvement
14.2 Decision Making
14.3 Personalised Learning

UNIT FIFTEEN CREATIVITY AND CRITICAL THINKING
15.1 Making Connections
15.2 Transforming Understanding
15.3 Sustained Shared Thinking

UNIT SIXTEEN AREAS OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
16.1 Personal, Social and Emotional Development
16.2 Communication, Language and Literacy
16.3 Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
16.4 Knowledge and Understanding of the World
16.5 Physical Development
16.6 Creative Development

FAQs
Is the course in Early Years Foundation a recognised educational qualification?

On successful completion of the course you will be awarded a UK Open Learning Diploma in Early Years and also a certificate from the NCFE which will list your achievements and the level you gained. How long do I have to complete the course?

You can study at your own pace and in your own time and there are no deadlines that must be met. Full tutor support is available for 12 months. To complete this course it will take in the region of 100 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student.

What happens if I’ve paid for the course but find it unsuitable?

Not a problem. If you return it within seven days, we’ll give you a complete refund, as long as the course is returned in re-saleable condition.

Can I apply for a job on completing this course?

Yes. This qualification will allow you to apply for employment in most Child Care settings.

Is this an NVQ?

No. NVQs have to be taken in the workplace but this qualification is equivalent to an NVQ Level 3, GNVQ Advanced or a full A Level in terms of the level of knowledge required. The credit value indicates the amount of learning time that the course broadly requires, in this case 100 hours.