Skills for career development
This degree is designed to contribute to the development of a highly skilled and effective workforce and to integrated coherent services for children. In addition to specialist knowledge and understanding of early childhood, it emphasises independent thinking, develops analytical and communication skills and will help you become a clear and confident writer – all attributes that are highly valued by employers.
You will acquire a broad set of employability skills, including:
- analysing, critically evaluating and effectively communicating information to others
- competence in team and project work, supporting and/or supervising others
- organising, synthesising and questioning opinions and arguments
- evaluating the appropriateness of different approaches to problem-solving
- managing and organising time, resources and information to support decision-making
- reflecting on your own learning and performance and taking steps to improve it
- using ICT effectively and being able to interpret data.
Career relevance
This BA (Hons) Early Childhood is an excellent foundation for entry to a range of careers working with and for young children and their families. If you are already in employment the degree may enable you to access a management role. You should be aware this is a practice-focused not practice-based qualification with no elements of observed and assessed practice, and as such, it is not considered full and relevant for the purpose of counting in staff:child ratios within an early years setting.
The degree is also suitable for those wanting to move into careers in teaching, health or social work. Please note that GCSE passes at Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths are normally required for post-graduate study and for teaching a GCSE Grade 4 (C) pass in Science is also a requirement.
The BA (Hons) Early Childhood may be helpful if you’re interested in further training for Early Years Initial Teacher Training (Early Years Teacher Status - Birth to 5) or post graduate qualifications in primary teaching with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, we cannot guarantee automatic progression to initial teacher education (ITE). Check with your local ITE training provider about their entry policy. For up-to-date information see the Department for Education website in England; the Teach in Scotland website in Scotland; and the Teacher Training & Education in Wales website. More information can also be found about routes to entering teaching by downloading our Becoming a teacher booklet.
Other careers
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
- nursery worker/manager
- teacher
- family support worker
- counsellor
- child psychotherapist
- careers adviser
- advice worker
- probation officer
- social worker
- education welfare officer
- learning mentor
- community development worker.
On to 'Entry requirements'
