Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Has anyone undertaken this degree course, I am thinking of doing this course and was wondering if anyone could offer advice as to what it REALLY entails for childminders Its called EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION DEGREE
Cait Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I've done Foundation Degree in Early Years with the Open Uni
HappyMaz Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I did a Foundation Degree, stepz5678, and there was a childminder on our course, too (out of a total of 9 students). A lot depends on how it is organised, what the modules and assignments are. From memory, I think our childminder found some of the assignments difficult (like the one about teamwork for instance!) but the college was able to find a way round this so she could meet the criteria. Who is the degree with? If its with the OU there are a lot of OU-ers on here who will be able to wax lyrical about the benefits of studying with them. However I would say that if you are wanting to undertake the degree to improve your personal practice and for your own development, then a Foundation Degree will open up your eyes to studying at a higher level. It will really develop your knowledge of theory and your ability to use this theory in your every day work. You'll learn a lot about yourself too, along the way! Why do you want to study the Foundation Degree, and do the assignment/modules sound interesting and relevant to your work as a childminder? Maz
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I too have done the foundation degree, we didn't have any childminders but we did have a childminding coordinator and a few others who did not work directly with chidlren everyday and so they were met with more challenges than those of us who had direct contact. I would second what Maz asked, what are your reasons for doing it? I felt it was the future of childcare and my then qualification of NNEB would eventually not be enough to continue in the earlys years profession. Since I started the degree I have been promoted twice and am now nearing the end of my third year which will make it a BA. It has not been easy and I have doubted my reasons many times but I am very glad that i stuck with it. I work fulltime but have the added bonus of not having any children - this seems to be a real bone of contention with my colleagues who do! Good luck, you will find lots of support on this forum, I am currently using it to collect data for my research project!
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Hi there, I am studying for the Foundation Degree with OU. It is challenging but absolutely brilliant. I have made friends locally through attending tutorials and there are quite a few childminders doing the same course. We all support one another and are all planning to study past the FD level as we find the research very stimulating and helpful for our practice. As long as you do it for yourself and can fit in the hours needed on top of other commitments, then I am sure you will be able to manage it. Good luck! Lesley
dublinbay Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I'm in the middle of the Foundation Degree with the Open University too. I moan a lot about the assignments but I've got the studying bug and probably could go a few years without stopping. Gosh! Did I really say that?? I've made some great friends that I see at tutorials and speak online with others. I've learnt so much already which has boosted my confidence at work and I haven't regretted starting it more then half a dozen times............this week!!! Joking...really! Good luck deciding what to do. p.s. Lots of childminders on the current course/module and are rocking along just like the rest of us.
hali Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 i did it with Maz - really enjoyed it - good luck in whatever you decide
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I did foundation degree in 2006 while working as a childminder.The first few months i found really hard simply because i had not done much studying for such a long time and writing an essay scared me to death! However i soon got into it and really enjoyed the course.Some of the modules/assignments were more relevant for early years practitioners in education or nurseries but with the help of the course tutors the assignments could be adapted to fit the childminders role. Since completing the FD course i got a job in a childrens centre and today i started a new job in same centre but new role as a childrens centre worker.I would definately encourage you to to do the course and think you will enjoy it!
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I did a Foundation Degree, stepz5678, and there was a childminder on our course, too (out of a total of 9 students). A lot depends on how it is organised, what the modules and assignments are. From memory, I think our childminder found some of the assignments difficult (like the one about teamwork for instance!) but the college was able to find a way round this so she could meet the criteria. Who is the degree with? If its with the OU there are a lot of OU-ers on here who will be able to wax lyrical about the benefits of studying with them. However I would say that if you are wanting to undertake the degree to improve your personal practice and for your own development, then a Foundation Degree will open up your eyes to studying at a higher level. It will really develop your knowledge of theory and your ability to use this theory in your every day work. You'll learn a lot about yourself too, along the way! Why do you want to study the Foundation Degree, and do the assignment/modules sound interesting and relevant to your work as a childminder? Thank you so much for replying... I have today completed my forms for the bursary and Canterbury University are sending me the applcation forms. If i get accepted i intend to go ahead with this course and I hope I can email people on this forum topic for advice. thanks again
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Hi there, I am studying for the Foundation Degree with OU. It is challenging but absolutely brilliant. I have made friends locally through attending tutorials and there are quite a few childminders doing the same course. We all support one another and are all planning to study past the FD level as we find the research very stimulating and helpful for our practice. As long as you do it for yourself and can fit in the hours needed on top of other commitments, then I am sure you will be able to manage it. Good luck! Lesley I feel now I want to go ahead with this course if I get the funding for it. Everyone here sounds so positive about it..I almost sound excited lol
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I am a childminder and completed my Foundation Degree at Newman University College in Birmingham. I have now topped up to a full degree and have just completed the long pathway for Early Years Professional Status. There is a lot of hard work, but, a lot of satisfaction too! Good luck, I am sure you will get lots of support rom your tutors and fellw students.
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I'm in my last semester for the Foundation Degree- studying through a local college. There are two childminders within my group as well as nannies, managers and owners of settings. I think it all depends what you want to achieve after you gain your degree. I am hoping to go on to complete the BA Hons year and then teach - specialising in the Early Years. I would recommend it and have had a great time (though hard at times). My next decision is to decide whether to continue my BA at the college or to turn to Open University!
Cait Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Has anyone undertaken this degree course, I am thinking of doing this course and was wondering if anyone could offer advice as to what it REALLY entails for childminders Its called EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION DEGREE If it's a Foundation Degree it's not a full Degree, you'll need to undertake more study to 'top it up' to a full degree.
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I started the foundation degree in early years in September 08. It is hard going, because I got my NNEB certificate in 1982!!!!!!!!!! But despite the moans and trauma of deadlines I am enjoying being in college once a week and to be honest at present it seems to be what you need to do, to keep your job let alone get promotions!!
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I am a childminder and completed my Foundation Degree at Newman University College in Birmingham. I have now topped up to a full degree and have just completed the long pathway for Early Years Professional Status. There is a lot of hard work, but, a lot of satisfaction too! Good luck, I am sure you will get lots of support rom your tutors and fellw students. I am thinking of topping up my foundation degree, how did you find it ? was it a lot harder than doing FD.
Guest cathy m Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I am also a childminder and achieved the foundation degree in 2007, topped up to a BA last year and am just beginning a final top up course to a BA Honours. All my studies have been with the OU which I find excellent and really flexible. We all moan at assignment time but the support on the forums is brilliant and keeps us motivated. Good luck to everyone currently studying Cathy
Guest Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I did foundation degree in 2006 while working as a childminder.The first few months i found really hard simply because i had not done much studying for such a long time and writing an essay scared me to death! However i soon got into it and really enjoyed the course.Some of the modules/assignments were more relevant for early years practitioners in education or nurseries but with the help of the course tutors the assignments could be adapted to fit the childminders role. Since completing the FD course i got a job in a childrens centre and today i started a new job in same centre but new role as a childrens centre worker.I would definately encourage you to to do the course and think you will enjoy it! Congratulations on furthering your work prospects!! I have decided now to go ahead with this..its a little daunting becasue as a childminder I dont have the back up others would receive in a full time setting ie Nursery. I will probably be the oldest there so maybe theywill take pity on me lol
Guest Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 Hi I'm in the middle of the Foundation Degree with the OU. It's really takes over your WHOLE life. Say goodbye to evenings and weekends for the forseeable future. My current module seems pointless and so out of date - There is no mention of EYFS at all. Can't wait to finish this and get onto something hopefully more interesting. Our local authority have just informed us that they have spent all the money they had for funding and so lots of us Childminders are now stuck with hundreds of pounds on our credit cards and no guarantee that we will be refunded. In fact one person was told when she rang up 'What does a Childminder need a degree for?' Several of the Childminders wanted to give up but cannot because they will have to pay back thousands of pounds. Morale is very low amongst the students at the moment - so much so that they have had to introduce morale boosting sessions alongside the tutorials. Hope your experience is better - but be prepared! Laura
Cait Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 Oh Laura, You sound so downhearted and you have my total sympathy. I spent 6 years doing this with the OU, one module without a tutor - well there was one, but she took months to mark anything and didn't return calls or emails. We all got extra marks on our final ECA because of her, it was dreadful. I missed my son's last 6 years at home before he left for uni, and don't feel much better off having completed. However - and it's a BIG however, it does help you reflect on your practice, even if it's pre EYFS, and seems unworthwhile. Keep your chin up, you can message me any time you are feeling down by clicking on my name and icon on this post and I'll help you all I can. Keep smiling, it will all pass eventually, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Guest Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I am year1 on the foundation degree and I am really enjoying it. Its lots of work and I certainly need more hours in a day We are currently on Learning to be Literate and Problem Solving and Enquiry. I am finding some of it a bit outdated but i am interpreting some of it to how I work, ie the teamwork bit and then instead of national literacy and numeracy strats I replace it with EYFS.
Guest Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Hi, I'm about 1/3 way through the early years foundation degree with the O.U. As a childminder of 14 years I've seen quite a lot of changes, and to be honest I have found my studies extremly valuable in helping me get to grips with the EYFS. I have never had to do observations before and learning how to anylise and reflect on observations has relly helped me....especially as I had an OFSTED inspection YESTERDAY and it went really really well, although filling in the online SEF was a nightmare! I think the foundation degree is very usefull for childminders, especially ones like me who have been in this job for years because it is very easy to become set in your ways, and as a result my practice has been refreshed. It is hard going though when you have to study after work and then get up bright and early for school runs. But I think it's a qualification well worth working for and will be extremly usefull if I decide to work outside the home in the future. All the best Jan
Cait Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Congratulations Jan, for making your first post, and for your good Ofsted inspection. Welcome to the forum, there are lots of childminders who will be glad of your company!
Guest Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Hi Jan, welcome to the forum! Good to see another childminder going the FD route. Nona
HappyMaz Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Welcome to the Forum, Jan - congratulations on making your first post. Good luck in the rest of your studies - its heartening to hear that you have found it so useful! Maz
Guest cathy m Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Hi Jan good to hear of another childminder doing a foundation degree with the OU. I achieved my BA in early years with them in December and am topping up to BA (Hons) Just shout if I can do anything to help Cathy
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