This degree will develop your understanding of how people learn in the very early stages of life from birth to age five and how this related to Early Years educational contexts. Focused on the study of education with an emphasis on early years, this degree will prepare you for either initial teacher training courses, postgraduate learning or a range of educational employment opportunities such as an educational development worker, an educational resource manager or a project office in museums, galleries and charities. The emphasis on early years could open up employment opportunities in childcare, early years practice and specialised play.Each year provides a key focus that will lend to you thinking as an educationalist with an emphasis in early years. In Year One, the course provides a solid grounding for understanding the multi and interdisciplinary nature of education. Multidisciplinary in the way that it draws from Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy and Politics, and interdisciplinary in the way that it includes specialised educational fields of study. In Year Two, the course will cement your theoretical knowledge as you think about how your own research could contribute to the field of education. You will also develop your understanding of early years with modules relating to working with parents/carers and the notion of ‘playful experiences’. Year Two is dedicated to placement activity. Placements can be in a wide range of educational settings, locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.In Year Three, you’ll conduct research for your dissertation that draws on early years theoretical perspectives. This will be completed alongside a review of contemporary issues facing education and early years practitioners.