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The UWS Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare programme has been developed in response to the national agenda - A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (2017) and Skills Development Scotland’s Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Early Learning and Childcare sector (2017).
The GA is a programme of study designed for those in employment, working towards registration as practitioners with the Social Services Council (SSSC) on completion of their three-year apprenticeship studies. The course is also suitable for those already in practice, seeking professional development.
The overall aim of the programme is to ensure that our Graduate Apprentices have the best possible learning experience, through which to become qualified and competent Early Learning and Childcare practitioners.
You will acquire a broad and balanced knowledge and understanding of child development pre-birth to 6 years. You will develop a critical understanding of early childhood philosophy and practice, and theories of learning which develop children’s creativity, literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills. You will have opportunities to engage effectively as a member of a team and in partnership with multi-agencies to support children and families, promoting social justice and inclusion for all.
You will develop a critical and reflexive approach to work-based practice in line with pedagogical, ideological and political perspectives, both nationally and internationally.
At the core of the Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare lies the development of meta-skills. These higher order skills support the development of additional competencies and prepare graduates to successfully manage the complexities encountered during each apprentice’s future life and professional career. The development of these skills is continually progressed throughout the course of your studies and through daily work-based experiences.
The Programme is delivered over three years at SCQF Levels 7, 8 and 9. Apprentices are employed within an Early Learning and Childcare setting. The programme combines work-based learning and academic study to develop apprentices’ knowledge and skills, enabling them to become effective, high quality practitioners. You will engage with practice based learning 4 days per week within the workplace, and 1 day per week through face-to-face sessions on campus, or online.
During your time at UWS you will be supported by a dedicated team of lecturers, you will be assigned a Workplace Mentor, and Academic Tutor who meet regularly with you to support you to progress and develop on campus and in your workplace.
hear from our Programme Leader, Joyce Leslie
hear from one of our students, Michelle Mann
Hear from Mairead Maxwell, Lead Officer for Early Learning and Childcare, South Lanarkshire Council
As an apprentice on the BA Early Learning and Childcare programme, you will be in relevant employment therefore the GA will build on your existing employability skills.
Graduate Apprentices are productive members of their teams from an early stage. Your academic knowledge and skills will be integrated and applied in your practice in the workplace. As a Graduate Apprentice you will be uniquely placed to integrate your academic skills and knowledge with professional workplace practice.
To apply for a GA you must be resident in Scotland before you start. The premises you work in must also be located in Scotland. As part of your application, you will have to show that you have the right to live and work in Scotland.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience. Experienced applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines - contact us for more information.
Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:
SQA National Qualifications
Apprentices require to be in employment in an early years setting.
or GCE
or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation
For Advanced Entry Apprentices are required to have completed a relevant Modern Apprenticeship or have a minimum of 1 year of sector specific work experience at a level equivalent to the point of entry
Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Applicants can apply for admission based on Accreditation of Prior Learning / Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning in accordance with the University’s RPL guidelines. Contact us for more information.
The Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare is a Work-based Learning course which has been developed in partnership with the Early Learning and Childcare sector and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). This ensures that graduate learning is aligned to the ongoing needs of the sector.
This course fully embraces the principles of Work-Based Learning. It is delivered over four years and apprentices will undertake 120 credits per year (three trimesters per year). Work-based learning and work-based assessment strongly underpin the course.
The programme will be delivered using a blend of learning and teaching strategies. This will include the use of the UWS virtual learning environment, and tutor/apprentice led discussion, lectures, tutorials, apprentice-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem-based learning, and work-based learning. Personal Development Planning (PDP) is central to the programme beginning with apprentices identifying and developing goals for their own learning and development which will be evidenced in their Individual Learning Plan (ILP). All summative assessments are graded and marked by academic members of UWS staff.
For individuals and organisations who wish to find out more about the Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare, please contact our team at apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk.
Fiona Kennedy
Industry Engagement Manager
Business Innovation
Joyce Leslie
Programme Leader Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare
School of Education and Social Sciences
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.