This course is designed for those who are aspiring to a career working in a variety of Early Years settings. If you have a desire to inspire young children and have an impact on the future of the next generation, then this is the course for you. This course focuses on the educational, social and emotional development of children from birth to 8 years of age. You will gain an appreciation of how children think and learn and will identify the role of the adult in facilitating this learning through a range of strategies. Theoretical aspects of learning will be studied and you will gain an understanding of children's physical, intellectual, emotional, social and language development. A variety of learning and teaching techniques will be employed to enable you to develop your understanding of early years, including lectures, classroom-based seminars and input from visiting speakers. Classroom-based work will be supported by placement opportunities in a range of settings within the statutory, private and voluntary sector, allowing you to apply theoretical principles to real-life situations. Visual Arts You will develop a variety of skills and techniques, encouraging you to explore the creative potential of a variety of media and processes within different areas of art and design. Studio workshops include drawing, painting, digital media, mixed media, glass, fibre arts, print, ceramics and sculpture. This student-centred course will allow you to create art using a variety of approaches, irrespective of your art and design background. Specialist staff will ensure you receive a holistic approach to learning, integrating practical, theoretical and professional modules whilst encouraging a dynamic and independent approach. You will have opportunities to develop vocational skills and gain practical experience within the creative industries and the educational sector by engaging with 'live' projects. Work placements in schools, galleries and the wider community will enable you to gain valuable experiences working alongside artists, designers and other practitioners.

Early Childhood is a growing sector and the skills learned on this course will enable you to enter the children's workforce in a range of different roles. Some of our students seek a route into teaching through PGCE qualifications here at BG (see Postgraduate Courses for more information), whilst others enter other teacher training routes as well as working towards Early Years Professional Status. This will present you with opportunities to work in different early years environments, such as nursery schools and privately run nurseries, or even enter into management within Early Years settings. The diverse nature of this course will also enable you to go on to further study, seeking wider opportunities in many different fields, including health and social care, children's social work, play therapy and speech and language therapy. Within the creative arts there are opportunities to work as a freelance artist, designer or art educator, gaining employment in galleries and museums, media and marketing, with openings in public relations.