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UCAS code:
X317
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Institution code:
S82
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Location:
East Coast College (Great Yarmouth)
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Duration:
Two years full-time. |
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Typical Offer:
2023-24 and 2024-25 entry; 80 UCAS tariff points (or above), CDD (A-Level), MMP (BTEC), Pass A*-C (T level). |
Introduction
This Foundation degree develops the skills and understanding to practice in a variety of settings that focus on the support of children from 0-18-years and their families. Play and playfulness can successfully underpin and bridge the education, health and social care sectors giving you the skills and understanding to pursue employment. Play support, play work and play therapy are increasingly used to support children’s development and wellbeing and combining theory and practice has relevance to health care assistants and family support, as well as to nursery practitioners, SENCOs, Teaching Assistants, Play Workers and other therapy assistants.
This course will allow you to pursue a range of related careers or further study with our BA (Hons) Applied Care Practice. Past students have progressed to careers in Further Education, Primary Education.
Course modules
Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
Knowledge and understanding of the holistic and interdependent nature of children’s development, from 0-18-years and how different external and internal factors can impact on it. You will learn how it is assessed across sectors and take this knowledge into their professional practice module. Students will increase their knowledge throughout of how play grows and changes with children.
Students will learn about the support processes and therapies currently used to support children and families who are vulnerable. You will understand how legislation, polices and guidance justify the safeguarding and protecting of children.
Students will learn about Play and its essential nature in the wellbeing of children. They will understand play policy and be able to contextualise how childhood as a construct has developed.
Students will learn about children’s rights and how important it is to work ethically with children. They will understand the important of reading and reflecting on current research and how this impacts on social policy. They will gain knowledge of the history of researching with children in the three sectors of health, social care and education. Students will produce a written report.
This module will promote students innovation and creativity and consolidate their learning at level 4, it will also provide students with an opportunity to study in a specialist area. Students will produce a small portfolio that will show a range of self-assessment that develops professional and personal skills to support independent and autonomous study. Students will examine a career pathway and benefit from visits and external speakers.
You will understand how to support the diverse needs in children and their Play differences. A case study scenario to plan and justify an inclusive therapeutic play activity.
A more in depth study of Play especially taking into consideration international perspectives. Students will justify their focus on a specific area as in creative play or messy play, plan and implement an activity and evaluate on it. This will be combined with a written report.
Children benefit from increased support as they experience transitions. Students will develop their understanding of how play can increase resilience and self esteem in all children but especially at times of transitions.
Students will propose a specific Play area to investigate. They will create a research poster and be able to propose their own methodology. This module can be used in preparation for dissertation at level 6.
Building on their professional practice 1, students will demonstrate increasing autonomy as a play worker/play specialist in a pathway of their choice. They will investigate resources and activities that supports children in their play and demonstrate a play kit with accompanying activities. They will analyse the variety of professional settings and roles that play worker skills can be used to support and take the opportunity to experience a range of them and produce a portfolio of reflections.
Career opportunities
Play Work is increasingly seen as a desirable skill within roles that work with children and families. This course is designed to bridge those sectors with the skills of Play Work that feature within them all.
This courses enhances the skills of students who desire to, or who already work, in the education and family support sector such as key-persons, SENCOs, after-school leaders and children’s centres practitioners.
This course also enhances the skills of those working as, or desiring to work as, paediatric health care assistants or specialist therapy assistants.
FdA Children’s Health, Play and Wellbeing can also provide a suitable progression to an Honours degree and then on to a postgraduate qualification in play therapy as recognised by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).
This degree may also provide progression into PGCE/EYT and primary school teaching and postgraduate general nursing.
Fees and finance
2023-24
- UK full-time tuition fee: £8,220 p.a
- International full-time tuition fee: £13,992 p.a
Further Information
At University of Suffolk, your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with your course that you will need to budget for.
Entry requirements
2023-24 and 2024-25 entry; 80 UCAS tariff points (or above), CDD (A-Level), MMP (BTEC), Pass A*-C (T level).
Qualifications: Level 3 in relevant areas: Health & Social Care; CACHE Teaching Support in Schools; CACHE/BTEC Early Years Educator; CACHE Level 3 Children and Young People’s Workforce. (DM/MMP) A levels; CDD/BB. Level 4 HE Certificate in a relevant discipline. Level 4 Advanced Practitioner. Higher Level Teaching Assistant professional qualifications.
Other qualifications can be considered if applicant can demonstrate that they have worked for over three years in the sector and 24years+.
All applicants are required to hold GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above. Applicants who do not hold these qualifications may be considered on an individual basis based upon their overall application and the course applied for.
If you do not hold these qualifications please contact Admissions directly on 01473 338348 to discuss.
- Interview with an 800-word written report
- Clear DBS
- Employment or voluntary placement in relevant sector
IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) where English is not the students' first language.
If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.
Facilities and Resources
You will have access to your own shared base room and some shared facilities at East Coast College (Great Yarmouth campus).
You will also be able to take advantage of some specialist equipment and staff knowledge to create their own resources. Learning Services provides resources at each campus as well as online.
