Evaluation of the Early Years Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree: findings from the final student survey

The Early Years Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree (EYSEFD) is a vocational qualification launched in the autumn of 2003 as one measure to lifting standards in the early years education and childcare sectors. The qualification is intended to provide early years practitioners, teaching assistants and play workers greater recognition for their skills and professional experience and to create a new level of professional practice described as Senior Practitioner. The Foundation Degree also provides a pathway for those who wish to progress on to becoming qualified teachers. In August 2002, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) was commissioned to evaluate the introduction of the EYSEFD. One part of the evaluation was a longitudinal telephone survey of students who began the course in the autumn of 2003. The survey aimed to measure the participation and achievement of students undertaking the course, to explore students’ views of the course, their reasons for undertaking the course and whether their expectations had been met. This report presents the findings of the final student survey, conducted between August and October 2006. At this point, most students had completed the course and were able to comment on its impact on their lives and future plans. Most course completers had favourable experiences of the course and reported positive outcomes in terms of employment and further study on completion of the course.

The Early Years Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree (EYSEFD) is a vocational qualification launched in the autumn of 2003 as one measure to lifting standards in the early years education and childcare sectors. The qualification is intended to provide early years practitioners, teaching assistants and play workers greater recognition for their skills and professional experience and to create a new level of professional practice described as Senior Practitioner. The Foundation Degree also provides a pathway for those who wish to progress on to becoming qualified teachers. In August 2002, ...  [+] Show more