Childcare and Early Years | University Centre Colchester

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

BA (Hons)Early Childhood Studies

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BA (Hons)Early Years and Primary Studies

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Rose is the programme lead for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Rose’s early years background began in a preschool for a domestic violence refuge, offering information and guidance for mothers on rebuilding a family.

Rose started her teaching career with Colchester Institute, teaching on the Early Years BTEC Level 3. This has provided a wealth of knowledge in current needs for preschools in the local area, and supports knowledge of current practice within settings.

She completed an MA in Education and her current research focuses on understanding the impact of school closures on the learning and wellbeing of children who were taught at home through lockdown. Rose is exploring current practices in supporting students through pregnancy and having children at home while continuing to study. Rose believes that education should be possible and accessible to all who want to achieve the qualification.

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Sally is the lecturer for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Sally’s early years background began in a private preparatory school and she has worked for Luton Airport helping to run and set up crèches.

Sally teaches modules such as Difference and Diversity, Domestic Abuse, Areas of Learning, Leadership and Management, Children’s Rights, Child Development, Curriculum Studies, Academic Practice, Health in Children and Global Pedagogies.

She has worked here since 2018 and completed my PGCE in the lifelong sector in July 2021. Sally enjoy keeping up to date with my subject matter by attending conferences and engaging with other professionals, having recently gained links with local teacher training providers.

Read staff profile

Wendy is the lecturer for Early Years Primary education and Childhood Studies. Wendy’s career began as a teaching assistant but was inspired to get her a degree in Early Years and then PGCE to become a teacher.

Wendy teaches modules such as Understanding and supporting Special Education Needs and Disabilities, Professional Practice, Academic Practice, Welfare and Safeguarding and Child Development.

Wendy is interested in teaching creativity, and using the outdoor environment, especially in STEM subjects across primary education.

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Rose Baynes-Revett

Rose is the programme lead for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Rose’s early years background began in a preschool for a domestic violence refuge, offering information and guidance for mothers on rebuilding a family.

Rose started her teaching career with Colchester Institute, teaching on the Early Years BTEC Level 3. This has provided a wealth of knowledge in current needs for preschools in the local area, and supports knowledge of current practice within settings.

She completed an MA in Education and her current research focuses on understanding the impact of school closures on the learning and wellbeing of children who were taught at home through lockdown. Rose is exploring current practices in supporting students through pregnancy and having children at home while continuing to study. Rose believes that education should be possible and accessible to all who want to achieve the qualification.

Read staff profile

Sally Vagg

Sally is the lecturer for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Sally’s early years background began in a private preparatory school and she has worked for Luton Airport helping to run and set up crèches.

Sally teaches modules such as Difference and Diversity, Domestic Abuse, Areas of Learning, Leadership and Management, Children’s Rights, Child Development, Curriculum Studies, Academic Practice, Health in Children and Global Pedagogies.

She has worked here since 2018 and completed my PGCE in the lifelong sector in July 2021. Sally enjoy keeping up to date with my subject matter by attending conferences and engaging with other professionals, having recently gained links with local teacher training providers.

Read staff profile

Wendy Meadows

Wendy is the lecturer for Early Years Primary education and Childhood Studies. Wendy’s career began as a teaching assistant but was inspired to get her a degree in Early Years and then PGCE to become a teacher.

Wendy teaches modules such as Understanding and supporting Special Education Needs and Disabilities, Professional Practice, Academic Practice, Welfare and Safeguarding and Child Development.

Wendy is interested in teaching creativity, and using the outdoor environment, especially in STEM subjects across primary education.

Read staff profile