Ma In Early Childhood Education

[Guest]

Hi

 

I am really interested in doing a masters in Early Childhood Education and was wondering if anyone is currently doing this or has recently completed one? I am in the very early stages of researching courses and was interested to know how realistic it is to be working full time balanced with studying.

 

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[HappyMaz]

I'll be watching this thread with interest!

 

Maz

[Gezabel]

I'll be watching this thread with interest!

 

Maz

 

Me too!!

Having initially started out with the OU to achieve the Foundation Degree they then extended their courses to BA and BA (hons) in early years so I stayed with them.

 

I was due to finish my OU studies in September but now I hear talk of the OU offering MA in Early Years

 

If I decide to go that far I have no doubt I will stick with the OU

[purplewednesday1]

I did my Masters while working - it wasn't in Early Years it was an Education Masters and I wrote about working in Failing Schools (which I was at the time)

 

I did weekend classes, once a month. I also needed to set aside at least an afternoon or morning every weekend for the reading. When there were essays they took a whole weekend - but I tried to organise them around school holidays so that i could spend two or three days solid without feeling that I didn't get a break at all. It was pretty manic when I was writing my dissertation - but you deal with it!!!

 

I couldn't have managed without the support of my family!

 

Now thinking about Doctorate!!

 

pw

xx

[Guest]

Thank you very much. Will keep you posted.

[hali]

I'll be watching this thread with interest!

 

Maz

 

 

i bet you will M

[Guest]

I did my Masters while working - it wasn't in Early Years it was an Education Masters and I wrote about working in Failing Schools (which I was at the time)

 

I did weekend classes, once a month. I also needed to set aside at least an afternoon or morning every weekend for the reading. When there were essays they took a whole weekend - but I tried to organise them around school holidays so that i could spend two or three days solid without feeling that I didn't get a break at all. It was pretty manic when I was writing my dissertation - but you deal with it!!!

 

I couldn't have managed without the support of my family!

 

Now thinking about Doctorate!!

 

pw

xx

 

Thanks for that. Can you tell me how long you did your MA over, who did you do it through and how much did it cost in terms of fees etc if you don't mind telling me? Still waiting to hear back from Kingston College. I am based near Guildford.

[Guest budgie1]

I, too am thinking about doing an MA. I've been looking around and Roehampton (part of Surrey University) offer a good course. They have an excellent reputation as they take the Froebel approach. There is some gov funding for the course at the moment which is swaying my decision. Can't help thinking I must be a tiny bit mad!!!!

[HappyMaz]

Have you looked at what Reading University has to offer budgie1? If so I'd be interested to know what you think! Am off to the Roehampton website now...

 

Maz

[Guest budgie1]

Hi Maz,

 

I have looked at the Reading Uni website , (which would be very convienient for me seeing as the uni as at the end of my road!) but I couldn't seem to find an MA that specialised in Early education. (which may be because I am not looking in the right place!) I did my first degree at Froebel hundreds of years ago and love their whole child centred approach. Now I'm off to re look at the REading uni site!

[HappyMaz]

Am off to the Roehampton website now...

I must say that any course of study which has Peter Elfer as the programme convener deserves serious consideration! It does look like a very good course and not that far away.

 

Definintely something else to think about!

 

Maz

[Guest budgie1]

I have got the prospectus and there is some gov funding for the next 2 years which means you would only need to pay £400 ish! Quite tempting......... but are we all mad??????????????????????????????

[HappyMaz]

Quite tempting......... but are we all mad??????????????????????????????

I'd like to think of it more in terms of being prepared to stretch our minds whilst discovering how many plates we can spin in the air at the same time without breaking anything. However perhaps your evaluation of the situation is more accurate!

 

£400 for a Masters does seem a bargain. My laptop cost more than that!

 

Incidentally I couldn't find an early years MA on the Reading website wither, so I've emailed our BA/EYPS Director for more information. I'll let you know what she says.

 

Maz

[Guest budgie1]

Thank you!

[HappyMaz]

I have got the prospectus

Can you explain how the Masters is made up then, budgie1? I've got a list of the mandatory modules, but wonder how many optional modules are needed to make up the number of points and I can't see where it says how many points each module is. Or does that fact rule me incapable of completing a Mastes on the basis of intellectual capacity?

 

Maz

[Guest budgie1]

The prospectus does not give that much detail. It states that you need 180 credits and this can be done over 12 -18 months full time or 3 - 8 semesters part time. It is normally taught in evening sessions and some modules are taught in intensive day and weekend sessions.

 

It also states that the key areas of study are

critical reflections on early childhood

environments for young children

play representations and communication

wellbeing in the earliest years

historical approaches to early childhood

research and enquiry

dissertation

 

 

Research areas

Effective environments for early learning and development

historical aspects of early childhood education

policy development in the early childhood field

priciples and practice of work with children under 3

the development of the professional role in the early childhood sector

social relationships and childrens creative thinking

health issues in early childhood

 

 

It does not go into any more detail. The funding is guareented for the next 2 years. The 3rd year (if you did it part time)is yet to be allocated.

 

Just typing it has got me quite excited again...sad really!

 

I'm sorry, we seemed to have hijacked this post!

[HappyMaz]

I am in the very early stages of researching courses and was interested to know how realistic it is to be working full time balanced with studying.

 

I'm sorry, we seemed to have hijacked this post!

 

Well we've only slightly gone off topic - and you have given anyone considering a Masters something concrete to think about and research!

 

Wonder where MJLA is based? Perhaps we could form an FSF cohort!

 

Maz

[Guest Wolfie]

Talking of MAs, this one looks good too....

 

http://www.pengreen.org/pagedisplay.php?ar...en+and+Families

[Guest budgie1]

It does look good thanks Wolfie. I especially like the multi disciplinary element of the course that might fit in well with what I do at the children's centre!

Oh dear more decisions!!

[HappyMaz]

Talking of MAs, this one looks good too....

 

http://www.pengreen.org/pagedisplay.php?ar...en+and+Families

Indeed it does and my love of all things Pen Green is legendary!

 

However if there is a need to attend 3 x 5 day courses the cost of staying in a local hotel or B&B would add significantly to the cost of the MA itself.

 

Unless of course I moved to Corby for the duration! Wonder if Pen Green have vacancies at the moment...

[TORO]

I have got the prospectus and there is some gov funding for the next 2 years which means you would only need to pay £400 ish! Quite tempting......... but are we all mad??????????????????????????????

 

 

Hello, there

 

l just came across this thread by default really, can you please tell me more about the funding, i want to study for a masters myself at sheffield uni. MA in Early childhood education. It is quite expensive £5000. If i can get funding it will be a wonderful.

 

Thanks

Toro

[Guest]

Manchester Met do MA's free for teachers, i'm signed up for the SEN one, I know they do a range and I think they do an early years one but not 100% sure x

[Guest]

I am currently doing an MA at Reading Uni. It is in Teaching and Learning and there are a couple of EY modules but lots of other stuff though mainly school based . Helen Bilton has taken over the module I did last year for the autumn.

 

I don''t think they do anything solely EY though if that is want you want to do. We are lucky as Reading funds modules for schools who take their students for teaching placements.

 

Forgot to add - we had someone on our course last year who was studying at Roehampton but managed to do some modules at Reading to contribute to their overall MA.

Edited June 28, 2009 by Guest

[Guest]

Not in answer to your question, but after I posted my reply I was reading about the proposed teaching learning MA's and the debate that enventually postgraduate level would come be expected of teachers. Which is another debate in itself, but this got me thinking, do you think doing the 'teaching and learning' masters will serve me bettter in terms of promotion etc than the masters I have choosen.

 

From a personal point of view I'm doing my masters because i'm I like writing essays and learning about SEN not for promotion reasons, but would there be an expectation down the line to get the teaching and learning masters specfically ?

[Guest]

I realise this thread it quite old but was wondering if anyone that was thinking of doing a masters actually went ahead and did it? I visited Roehampton this week and spent sometime speaking to Peter Elfer about the course and the different ways you can complete it - I would love to think I could go ahead and do it but obviously very concerned about how this would fit into my family and work!!! It's a bit different to being 18 and a full time student - although having said that I think maybe priorities were a bit different at 18 - student bar !!

[HappyMaz]

Ooh! Interesting that you've visited Roehampton - I think I've finally decided to apply. Maybe I should pull my finger out and get on with it!

[mundia]

I started mine last year, although its not a specialist early years MA. I am finding it hard to do all the reading and writing, but I am using a 'Living Theory' approach and its very challenging, quite different from a more traditional style of masters. Im not sure if I will go all the way to the masters or stop after a module or two, but I quite like the fact that I can choose either. I do find it hard to find time and energy for it all, but if you think you can and want to enough, you will make it work for you.

 

If you have the opportunity to do anything with Peter Elfer, I would go for it without a second thought. His style doesnt suit everyone, but if you really want to dig deep into your own professional practice, then hes your man I think. To get an insight into his work, I'd recommend reading an article called something like 'emotionally containing model of CPD' I'm cant recall the exact title but I'm sure if you search for it, you will find it. It was written by him and Kate Dearnley.

[Guest]

I have just been offered a place on the Early Childhood Education MA , distance learning at Sheffield , anyone had any experience they can share ?

[Guest cathy m]

Well done Ruby49, I would love to do it and thought about it last year with Sheffield, as far as I remember there are a couple of residential weekends. It's just the cost that puts me off, how long will it take you to complete?

[Guest]

Thank you Cathy M, there are five hotel weekends over two years, included in the fee, which is £3,500 ish can't remember... (trying to forget!), per year. When you consider it is the same price as my old uni fee that has now soared to 9k for new students, I am comfortable with the arrangement, as I can still work. Mind you I haven't started to pay off the student loan yet...