Childhood, Youth and Community Studies
Childhood, Youth and Community Studies covers a range of sectors largely focused on children and young people, their learning, development and well being.
Initially the CYCS Curriculum Group is concentrating on early years education, childcare and playwork. Being employed in this area can mean working with babies, children or young people in a variety of settings e.g. nurseries, pre-school/play groups, out of school clubs, day care settings.
Many people train for work at all levels in early years education, childcare and playwork via vocational and work based learning. The person in charge of an early years education, childcare and play-work setting must hold at least a full and relevant Level 3 qualification. Practitioner experience and higher level qualifications allow workers to take on leadership and management roles.
By 2010 designated Children’s Centres must have one graduate leader. To be a graduate leader (i.e. a leading practitioner) a degree is needed and either Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). By 2015 every Ofsted registered full day care setting must also have at least one graduate leader. A successful Criminal Records Bureau check is also needed and people in this line of work must be physically and mentally fit to work with children.
All organisations interested in progression to Higher Education issues are welcome to participate in the CYCS Curriculum Group. So far 9 Further Education Colleges, 4 Higher Education Institutions, 3 Private Training Providers, 4 Local Authorities and 1 Sector Skills Council have participated in this Curriculum Group’s activities.
This group meets regularly to discuss related issues and plan projects that will assist the progression of vocational and work based learners.
Publications
Click here for this group's Career Guide leaflet for Early Years Education, Childcare & Playwork (pdf)
Click here for the Early Years Education, Childcare & Playwork insert (pdf)
Click here for the latest map of Early Years related provision from Level 3 to Level 8 (pdf)
Click here for this group's Early Years leaflet on Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) (pdf)
Click here for Progression opportunities from local Early Years related Foundation Degrees (pdf)
Click here for GCSE Maths and English and Early Years Professional Status leaflet (pdf)
Click here for GCSE Maths and English and Early Years Professional Status poster (pdf)
Click here for L1 - L6 Community Development Map (pdf)
Click here for the presentation from Academic Writing Workshop in April (PowerPoint)
Click here for the presentation from Referencing Workshop held in June (PowerPoint)
Click here for the HE jargon and analysing the question presentation in June (PowerPoint)
Click here for the HE jargon words list from the June workshop (Word)
Early Years project poster (pdf)
Early Years Staff Development event (April 2009)
Click here for summary of the recent Early Years Staff Development event (pdf)
Click here for summary of group discussion on the 'EYP Role' (pdf)
Click here for The 10 Year Childcare Strategy by Liz Brownhill (PowerPoint)
Click here for the New Qualifications Database - Workforce Qualifications Audit Tool by Debbie Simmons, EECU, HCC (PowerPoint)
Click here for Early Years Professional Status (PowerPoint)
Useful Links
SkillsActive: www.playwork.org.uk
SureStart: www.surestart.gov.uk
Learndirect: www.learndirect.co.uk
Nextstep: www.nextstep.org.uk
National Day Nurseries Association: www.ndna.org.uk
National Childminding Association: www.ncma.org.uk
Pre-school Learning Alliance: www.pre-school.org.uk
SureStart, Child Care Link: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
SureStart, Working in Early Years: www.childcarecareers.gov.uk
Department for Children, Schools and Families: www.dfes.gov.uk
Children’s Workforce Development Council: www.cwdcouncil.org.uk
Southampton Children's Information Service: www.southamptoncis.org
Early Education and Childcare in Hampshire: www.hants.gov.uk/childcare
The website for education on the Isle of Wight: www.eduwight.iow.gov.uk/the_lea/early_years
Contact
The Childhood, Youth and Community Curriculum Group is led by the University of Winchester. For more information contact Helen Briers by email at helen.briers@winchester.ac.uk or by telephone on 01962 827694.
Next CYCS Curriculum Group meeting: Friday 23 October 2009
The minutes from this group's last meeting are available here.
Further information is available about this final meeting here.