University Centre Colchester | Childcare and Early Years

Working with children aged 0-11, Early Years practitioners are a key influence in the lives of many children by providing physical, emotional, social and intellectual care, making a positive impact on their wellbeing and development.

These degree programmes embed the government’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework standards and the national curriculum into each module. You will explore how children learn and develop in a diverse and evolving society while studying a range of topics relating to child development, health, and training. Alongside this, you will put that knowledge into practice through work experience opportunities to ensure you graduate with a high level of practical and theoretical experience in readiness for employment or postgraduate study.

Reasons to study with us:

  • Opportunities to be taken on valuable observational visits
  • Work experience placements are available throughout these programmes
  • Access to expert practitioners from different fields within the childcare sector

The PGCE gave me a good advantage as I was able to get practical experience to complement the theory I was learning.

MEGAN WILKINSON-ROUSE BA (Hons) Early Years and Primary Studies

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Courses Offered

BA (Hons)Early Years and Primary Studies
Cert EdLifelong Learning
MAEducation
PGCE (Postgraduate)Lifelong Learning
PGCE (Professional)Lifelong Learning

Michele Fuller is the course leader for University Centre Colchester’s Cert Ed, PGCE and MA Education programmes. She also contributes to the BA (Hons) Education degree and is a personal tutor for under- and postgraduate students.

Her identity as a practitioner is what motivates Michele’s work in Higher Education. She has a particular interest in History of Art, specifically the representation of animals in both European and African Art. Current research focus is on teacher motivation and how this can be considered as part of a teacher training process.

Michele is currently conducting research into mentoring and coaching in both England and South Africa, which is linked to her doctoral studies.

Read staff profile

Neil Barnes is Head of School of Social Sciences and University Centre Colchester’s Director of Teaching and Learning. As an academic, he contributes to PGCE and MA Education programmes.

Neil has taught in an independent school and public service organisations as well as having five years’ experience as a course leader in Further Education. He was a physical training instructor in the Army and new probation police officer trainer for Suffolk Constabulary.

His research interests centre on motivation. Neil has recently conducted studies into Further Education student success, Initial Teacher Education in easing the transition of moving from industry to teaching and the importance of induction.

Read staff profile

Michele Fuller

Michele Fuller is the course leader for University Centre Colchester’s Cert Ed, PGCE and MA Education programmes. She also contributes to the BA (Hons) Education degree and is a personal tutor for under- and postgraduate students.

Her identity as a practitioner is what motivates Michele’s work in Higher Education. She has a particular interest in History of Art, specifically the representation of animals in both European and African Art. Current research focus is on teacher motivation and how this can be considered as part of a teacher training process.

Michele is currently conducting research into mentoring and coaching in both England and South Africa, which is linked to her doctoral studies.

Read staff profile

Neil Barnes

Neil Barnes is Head of School of Social Sciences and University Centre Colchester’s Director of Teaching and Learning. As an academic, he contributes to PGCE and MA Education programmes.

Neil has taught in an independent school and public service organisations as well as having five years’ experience as a course leader in Further Education. He was a physical training instructor in the Army and new probation police officer trainer for Suffolk Constabulary.

His research interests centre on motivation. Neil has recently conducted studies into Further Education student success, Initial Teacher Education in easing the transition of moving from industry to teaching and the importance of induction.

Read staff profile

What our students day - UCC Early YearsMegan Wilkinson-Rosue