Early Years and Teaching Assistants

Entry Requirements

You should hold a level 3 qualification in childcare such as NVQ3, DCE, NND, NNEB, EYE or equivalent. Other Level 3 qualifications must hold 96 UCAS Tariff points or above.

A satisfactory reference from your employer or voluntary organisation is also required.

University Centre St Helens will also support those who are currently unemployed in finding a placement but cannot guarantee a placement will be available.

Prior Learning and Experience

University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.

Additional Entry Requirements

All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to be an informal meeting and will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.

DBS Check

All prospective students will be advised at the entry stage that they must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess their suitability for access to a range of early years careers. In the event of a disclosure, this must be discussed with the Programme Leader before entry, who will then provide advice relating to placement and future employment criteria within the early years sector.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.

Learning Environment and Assessment

You will attend University Centre St Helens for two evenings per week, for two years.

The practical side of the degree, whether that be your paid employment or voluntary placement, will allow you to put the theory you are learning in each session into practice. Learning will be theoretical through lectures, workshops, seminars, self-direct study, written work, group work, presentations and guest lectures.

You will be supported by a range of resources including a Uni Hub, a dedicated learning environment for degree students.

Assessment is continuous and facilitated through both formative and summative assessments including written coursework assignments, essays, extended pieces of work, examinations, presentations, portfolios, case studies and reports.

Tuition Fees

For 2023 entry, tuition fees for full-time (evening study) are £5,000 per year.

Additional Costs

Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits	Only applicable if on work placement and not employed. Public transport costs will be required to and from placement. You will be required to complete a DBS check, which will cost around £44.
Equipment and Materials	Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library or online via Liverpool John Moores' Moodle and Library Services. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. All assignments are submitted through Turnitin. Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks.
Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development	Variable depending on type of activity.

Financial Support

Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don't have to pay anything upfront and there's nothing to pay back until you're qualified and earning over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.

Study Enhancement Gift

All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.

For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page.

Careers and Progression

Upon successful completion of this Foundation Degree, you may choose to progress into a higher position within an early years setting, or on to the BA (Hons) Early Years Practice with University Centre St Helens. As a graduate, you have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, such as:

• Family Support Worker
• Nursery Teacher
• Early Years Worker