Early Years Education and Care

Early Years Education and Care is a degree concerned with the formative first years of human development, a period of extraordinary significance for children's cognitive, emotional, social and physical growth. Practitioners working with young children need both a deep understanding of child development and the practical skills to create environments and relationships in which children can thrive. The field draws on developmental psychology, education theory, safeguarding, family support and reflective professional practice, and it has an evidence base that has grown substantially in recent decades as research has clarified how profoundly early experiences shape lifelong outcomes.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year and a year abroad, alongside the core academic and professional content that prepares you for practice with children in the early years. The degree leads to the Graduate Practitioner Competencies, which are recognised by the UK Department for Education as full and relevant training, an important professional qualification for those seeking graduate-level roles in early years settings. You will develop a thorough understanding of children's learning, development and life experiences in their early years, and will build the reflective professional skills needed to work effectively with children, families and multidisciplinary teams.

Graduates from Early Years Education and Care programmes go on to careers as early years practitioners, nursery managers, family support workers, children's centre workers, special educational needs coordinators, social care workers and in primary school settings. The Graduate Practitioner Competencies support access to graduate-level roles across the sector. Many graduates go on to further professional qualifications in teaching, social work or early childhood studies, and there is a growing emphasis across the children's workforce on graduate-level practitioners who combine deep knowledge of child development with strong reflective and leadership skills.