UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

UNISON is running an initiative for Classroom Assistants with four groups exclusively for UNISON members in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and Armagh from February to October 2007. Funding for these places will be through UNISON. Information and an application form will be sent out to all Classroom Assistants in early November.

This course focuses on the student’s role in working with young children (with a focus on children aged from birth to six years) including those identified as gifted or talented; those with special educational needs (SEN); and those who have English as an additional language (EAL). It examines policy relating to the regulation/promotion of children’s status, welfare, and learning, and the way it impacts on children and adults in the home, in early years settings, and in out-of-school contexts. You will gain a broader understanding of the early childhood curriculum by focusing on supporting children’s learning in key areas such as language, literacy and communication; mathematical development; and personal, social and emotional development. You need to be working in an early years setting prior to and during the course.

In this course you will develop your understanding of the curriculum for early childhood by looking at ways of supporting children’s learning – in particular in the key learning areas identified in the curriculum for the Foundation Stage in England, in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland curricula, and in the curricula for the under-threes. There will be particular emphasis on language; literacy and communication; mathematical development; creative and personal development; physical development; and social and emotional development. You will develop your role in supporting children through learning about effective teaching strategies; through learning strategies for observation, assessment, monitoring, recording and reporting; through planning for learning; and through the use of ICT as a tool for learning. You will also learn about the ways in which early childhood settings can build upon the cultural context of the home and surrounding community. There will be an emphasis on inclusive practices relating to gender, children with special educational needs, and those with English as an additional language.

By the end of the course you will:

• have increased your understanding of how children learn and develop

• have developed your understanding and skills in supporting children’s learning

• understand how you can work effectively with other adults, including parents, carers, professionals and the wider community

• have developed your understanding of supporting children with diverse needs and abilities in a range of contexts

• have developed your skills, knowledge and understanding of planning and assessment in supporting children in key curriculum areas

• have developed your awareness of the impact of policy relating to the regulation and promotion of children’s status, welfare and learning.

Vocational relevance This course is aimed at practitioners working in a wide range of early years care and education settings with young children and their families. The content has direct vocational relevance to practice.

Course requirements
No qualifications are required to participate on this course, however you will be expected to complete three academic essays, with a final project at the end of the course that takes the place of an examination. Students are expected to undertake personal study for up to five hours per week.

Professional recognition
The Certificate in Early Years Practice is approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for inclusion as a Level 4 qualification in the National Qualifications Framework (the early years education, childcare and playwork framework of nationally accredited qualifications). Ofsted accepts, for regulatory purposes, all those qualifications listed on the DfES acceptable list and those qualifications at an appropriate level on the NQF that have relevant coverage of early years, childcare and play work. Qualifications within this framework are recognised by OFSTED in registering and inspecting early years provision.

The Certificate is also part of the Open University Foundation Degree in Early Years. The Foundation Degree in Early Years offers a progression route to an honours degree in Childhood and Youth Studies. It is possible to progress to Qualified Teacher Status through a Graduate or Registered Teacher Route or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. The course is also being put forward for recognition by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland.

To receive more information or an application form, contact Fidelma Carolan

Check out the Open University website to find out about their range of Education courses.