Early Years Development and Learning

Our Early Years Development and Learning degree is unique to us. It’s a three year full-time course which combines undergraduate degree level study with practical sessions and experience with children, enabling you to put the theory into practice. Modules include Safeguarding and Child Protection, Promoting Health and Wellbeing, Making Sense of Children’s Behaviour and Working with Families and Communities. Running alongside the degree, and for a fourth year after you have left Norland, you will work towards achieving the prestigious Norland Diploma which is fully integrated. No fees are payable for this final year of your training, during which you will be in paid employment. It is the Norland Diploma qualification that sets you apart from other early years professionals and adds an even greater array of practical skills and experience to your early years toolkit. Norland students are required to wear a uniform whilst studying at Norland and in Placements. This instils a sense of responsibility and pride as students represent a long and prestigious history of the highest quality. The Norland Code of Professional Responsibilities (the Code) contains the professional standards that Norland students, Newly Qualified Nannies (NQNs) and Norland graduates (Norlanders) must uphold. The values and principles set out in the Code are not negotiable or discretionary. They underpin the behaviours and competencies expected of all those who are studying at, and have graduated from, Norland. Additionally, Norland Agency works exclusively with Norland Nannies (also known as 'Norlanders'), ensuring graduates have outstanding employment opportunities upon leaving us and throughout their careers. This course provides an exciting opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the early years. Our lecturers have a passion for this subject area and considerable professional and academic experience in both education and health. Their teaching draws on approaches from many disciplines including psychology, child health, history, philosophy, social science, literature and education. Guest speakers are regularly invited to Norland to give you an opportunity to listen to those already working in the field. Each of the three years is divided into three trimesters with your time split between placement and Norland. You will undertake a total of seven placements over the three years. In the third and final year, you will also be required to complete a dissertation on an early years topic of your choice. During the summer trimester of the third year we focus on teaching skills which will be relevant to your future employment. Amongst others, this includes First Aid training, interview techniques, driving in arduous conditions and security training delivered by former military intelligence officers. There are a number of different assessment methods for the degree and diploma courses at Norland. These include essays, presentations, timed essays, annotated bibliographies, in class exams, portfolios, displays and a work-based project. The Norland Diploma is a distinctive and prestigious qualification which is studied alongside the degree course and for a fourth year following completion of the degree. All students must successfully complete not only their degree but also each element of the Norland Diploma in order to use the title ‘Norland Nanny’ or ‘Norlander’.

UCAS Tariff - 96 points
A level - CCC
Or equivalent qualification.