MA Early Years

MA Early Years

by: Tunja - 21-01-10 14:05

Am I alone in wanting to upskill by this route?

I would like an Early Years MA by distance learning. I cannot close for long weekends or short breaks. Why has someone not considered this when they offer courses. A few modules can be taken distance but not all. I have so far been unable to find enough distance modules to build an MA using several universities/colleges either. Apparently my EYPS would count at between 30 - 60 CAT points at the Masters level too!

Perhaps this would make a good research article for Nursery World to investigate.

by: Tunja

OK. I am feeling even more frustrated today. I can study dentistry or even surgery at a distance, the mind boggles, but not early years.

by: Tunja

Do I assume no one else has found a distance MA or perhaps no one else has looked.

by: 'Old' Louise

Have looked but not found one.  Nearest I have found is one on Children and Young People with OU but not sure if you can focus on early years within that.  They do an MEd and I think you may be able to focus on early years in that but not absolutely sure.  However, you have probably already looked at them.

by: Karine

Cant help - but also very interested in doing an MA - any info later posted would be gratefully received.  I wonder if their are any MA forums?

by: Karen

The University of Sheffield offers an MA in Early Childhood Education on a distance learning basis, spread over two years with five residential weekend schools.

It would be worth checking out MAs offered by Kings College London and London Metropolitan University.

Karen Faux, Nursery World

by: Tunja

Thanks Karen.

Unfortunately K neither Kings or London Met appear to offer distance learning although I can recomend london Met for its distance BA Hons Early Childhood.

Sheffield weekends are unfortunately 3 days long which means closing early Thurs and being shut Friday and I am trying to avoid this if possible.

Someone some where must offer true distance learning, there must be a demand from those already in work or running a setting for early years. Dentists, surgeons and lawyers can access their training while they work but not us.

by: Karine

Thank you Karen.

 We can only hope someone knows something!

by: Lolo

I am reading this with interest as I would be interested in the future - if I ever get through my EYPS.

by: emma mares

You can do your MA at Pen Green in Corby at weekly blocks at a time you would just need cover for your setting which you can get funding for check it out it may help

by: Tunja

Thanks Emma. That's not distance though.  As a childminder my customers take a dim view of leaving a stranger with their children. I also have to consider if I want a stranger in the house. As it is a home based setting agency staff are not able to cover either.

While I took my EYPS I had to employ a  QTS (luckily both I and the children knew them) in addition to an assistant and get a variation from Ofsted!

Very occasional days are OK as I can take them as unpaid leave provided I can give parents enough notice and they have holiday left.

by: Tunja

MA early years update. I have found some where who will add to my EYPS with a 30 CAT point unit by distance learning  to give me the first step of the three needed to get an MA, the PGCERT. They would allow me to do the third step too!

But I still cannot find anywhere to do the PGdip the middle step I need before the final level the dissertation.

by: Karine

Hi Tunja

This sounds really difficult - so after a BA Hons - and I am not doing EYPS - can I not undertake Masters?

by: Tunja

You can still take a masters, a degree is the prerequisite.

EYPS is a post graduate award and can be part of the points needed for the first phase of the MA.

by: Tunja

I think I may have found a route. I need to confirm with the university that offered me a PGcert. I have found one that will take me on if I achieve that to do the PGdip ( need to attend for two weekends) and then I can choose which one I do the dissertation with to get the full masters. Watch this space for more information.

by: Karine

Hi Tuna

Keep me/us posted and i wish you lots of luck

by: Helen W

Tunja and co - really interesting thread. Good luck Tunja and well done for perservering.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this subject. CPD is so important but as well as all the usual barriers of time/cost it also seems to be something extra-difficult in early years... We want to build a truly professional workforce but however motivated you are it seems to be almost impossible for many to actually navigate the infrastructure!

Ho hum

Helen 

by: Tunja

Up Date:

I will be able to use my EYPS portfolio as 30 credits at MA level.

I will need to do an independent study module probably analyzing the portfolio for 30 credits. (Distance learning)

This will give me a PG Cert. This will be with Bristol university. They have two students so far who want to do this. For more information the contact is Jackie Coles 0117 32 84128 or eyps@uwe.ac.uk

I will be able to continue my studies with Gloucester university where I can study two modules for the PG dip. For each module I have to attend for a weekend. Saturday and Sunday but only briefly late on the Friday which is not crucial if parents or traffic mean I am late as they are a two hour drive from me.

For more information on their modules the contact is Dr Janet Rose the MED early years course leader at jrose@glos.ac.uk

I can then choose which to do the dissertation with thereby achieving an MA education (early years) by a slightly unusual route.

by: Tunja

Bristol don't seem to have written the course yet. A big whoops for them on advertising it. Still waiting for more news.

by: Tunja

I am so frustrated. I feel I am banging my head against a brick wall!

Why cannot I continue my CPD. No one wants me at the moment. Bristol cannot even guarantee the module I need to convert my EYPS to a PGCert will even be available.

"We are exploring the possibility of running this course in the Autumn

 term subject to funding." And we all know there have been big cuts

 in funding.

Has anyone found an alternative? Are you there Helen? 

Can you fix this anomaly?  

by: Tunja

UPdate Bristol just rung me. Bristol is collecting all the names of those who may be interested in this route for September so perhaps there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel. If you are interested then put your name forward.

by: Kate Homewood Richardson

I am also wondering about doing an MA rather than the EYPS.  I am not impressed with what I am learning about the EYPS, and it seems it is merely proof of what one is aready rather than extending and developping one's knowledge and skills.  I hope to run a Nursery/Pre-school and feel an MA will give me credibility, and as EYPS isn't neccesssary for the Manager in particular, I'm not keen to do it. 

 I am applying for the Sheffield online MA Early Childhood Education, unless anyone can tell me it's a really bad idea!

RE: RE: MA Early Years - 13-05-10 14:44

by: MK

Kate, this is a great course with fantastic tutors - Cathy Nutbrown (Threads of Thinking et al), Jackie Marsh - strong background in research and ICT in early years plus other fabulous tutors.... If you are going to do the MA then choose Sheffield.

by: Tunja

Under careers and training Nursery world has this statement.

'Universities such as the University of Sheffield and University College London offer dstance learning for their MA courses, which span early childhood education and early childhood studies'

I already have investigated Shefield and they require too much time absent from the setting. I am intriegued at the other provider. Either their search engine is very poor or I have tried looking at the wrong site.

Can I have a link please Liz

by: Liz Roberts

Hi Tunja

I've found a course at Kings College (University College London) in Child Studies

http://www.postgraduatesearch.com/king-s-college-london-university/33335771/postgraduate-course.htm

and I don't know if you've seen this site with a list of post-grad opportunities

http://www.postgraduatesearch.com/masters/child-development/uk/study/postgraduate-browse.htm

by: Tunja

Thanks for looking Liz. The post grad search engine you put the link to may be very useful for some prospective MA students.

unfortunately as I have said previously I need a distance learning provider, and the 'Child Studies MA/PgDip at King's College London (University Of London) is a 1 year full time course'.

Google is also a wonderful tool in my search. I have come to the conclusion a distance MA with one provider is not yet invented. Although the response to this post clearly indicates it would be of interest to many students.

I shall continue to rattle cages and will post again if I have success locating a course with one provider or manage my CPD through an assortment of providers.

If anyone has more success than me in finding a MA early years/early childhood that is truely distance then I would appreciate a link to the information.

Thanks.

by: Tunja

Still keeping my fingers crossed for September. How many of you are joining me. Bristol says they have had an influx of names.

RE: RE: MA Early Years - 13-04-10 12:00

by: Tunja

Gloucester university where I can study two modules for the PG dip. Have sent me the application forms.

For more information on their modules the contact is Dr Janet Rose the MED early years course leader at jrose@glos.ac.uk

 

I tried contacting Bristol where I will be able to use my EYPS portfolio as 30 credits at MA level. Regarding application forms for the independent study module as I felt I should complete these first. The email was read on 8/4/10 and I have had no reply as yet.

Has anyone else had any further information from them?

 For more information on their course the contact is Jackie Coles 0117 32 84128 or eyps@uwe.ac.uk

by: Tallulah

I am studying by distance learning at the moment (not ma level) and I'm struggling with motivation issues for the first time in my life. I find it much harder to be motivated without the support of teacher and the stimulation of class mates. I thought it would be easy as I am very academic but its just not the same without classes- definitely going to avoid it in future!

by: Tunja

I asked the CDW why teachers get 60 points towards a MA degree as standard but EYPS rarely gets any credit even thought they are considered equivalent to teachers. Yes another anomaly.

Funny, I am still waiting for a reply!

by: Tunja

I now have a reply!

"Both QTS and EYPS are professional statuses and there is a requirement that candidates have achieved a level 6 degree level qualification in order to achieve them. They are not in terms of academic level post graduate qualifications (ie above level 6 academically). As you say EYPS does not routinely confer Masters credits, but nor does QTS automatically. It does in the case of PGCE, but this is only one of many routes to QTS.
 
I am pleased to report we are just undertaking some work on continuing professional development in the early years sector which will look at this issue amongst many others in the months ahead."

I thought PGCE is taken after the degree just like EYPS and that both have similar content.

RE: RE: MA Early Years - 11-05-10 18:56

by: nicola brettell-smith

Hi, good luck with your perserverance. I too have been looking to do an MA in early years long distance, as I have 2  young children and don't want to stay away or travel too far. I have an NNEB Diploma and have worked in all aspects of early years and was tutoring and assessing NVQ's until I gave up work to be a stay at home mum. I am now looking for a way back into early years as my 15 years experience and knowledge now appears out of date! I have a degree (in sport) so I am debating whether to do the EYPS or an MA, I'd like to go back into an advisory/training role rather than working hands on again with the children but it is hard to find info on these  job roles either? Any advice welcome? Please keep posting and let us know how you get on and if you achieve your goal.

by: MK

Hi, the MA in Sheffield weekend study starts at 18:00 on the Friday evening and finishes Sunday lunchtime.  I guess if someone really wants to do a course they'll find a way!

RE: RE: MA Early Years - 15-05-10 00:22

by: princess

hello there,

 

I am interested in this course, are you presenting studying, if you are can you please tell me about what it entails.

Thanks

 

by: Tunja

"I guess if someone really wants to do a course they'll find a way!"

I hope this was not intended as a dig!.

I believe I have found a way and hopefully will post here shortly when I start my course. Once full details are confirmed I will include full details so I can be followed in this route by others.

Note: the MA in Shefield is based more on principles than practice and on national and international policy.

I also work until 6pm on Fridays and Shefield is a three hour drive away. Parents would take a dim view if I had to shut the setting lunch time because I was enroute to Shefield!

by: Tunja

Things are moving albeit very slowly. I may be getting a tutor allocated next week!

by: Tunja

Yipee. I now have two tutors one for each of two modules to be submitted by October.

by: lorenika

Hi there!

Thanks everyone for all your ideas and recommendations, I was reading your threads with great interest as I would be very interested in studying a MA Early Years Education by distance learning too.

I´ve found a MA Education at London Metropolitan which apparently runs lectures in one/two evenings (if you choose part-time). If you combine the modules appropriately you could be awarded a MA Education (Early Childhood). Does anyone know anything about this MA? I work from Monday to Friday so I should find something like distance learning or evenings sessions..

I´ve also found that the Open University offers a MA Education. It is definitely much cheaper than the one at London Met... but at the same time I feel that a few lectures may be helpful..

And finally I found one at Roehampton University. It mentions how flexible it is with teaching taking place in evenings and weekends but I´ve seen some lectures start at 6pm.. Depending on work, this may be difficult..

Anyway, as you can imagine I live in London and that´s why I considered these unis.. I couldn´t consider Sheffield, I´m afraid it´s too far for me although the programme seems brilliant.

Anyone could give me any other ideas or advice? I´d really appreciate it.

Thanks!

by: kaz (the first one!)

this is from my OU webpage (as I am completing my BA with them):

Wondering what to do next after this course? You may be interested in a new Open University course starting in October 2010. K802 Critical Practice with Children and Young People is a core course in the MA in Childhood and Youth, and can also lead to a postgraduate certificate. The new course explores the conceptual, organisational, personal and professional contexts of work with children and young people, and aims to help you develop as a critical, reflective advanced practitioner.

If you are an experienced practitioner in any area of work with children or young people, and want to progress professionally and academically, K802 is for you. You can find out more about the course on the OU website - or by visiting the K802 blog, where you can ask questions and join in discussions.

Just follow this link:

http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/K802/

is this the kind of thing you are thinking of? The OU usually do tutorials on Saturdays about every month or two and you have a tutor who marks the assignments and gives support, at least I have for the last 7 years!