OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Overview

The objective of the OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Early Childhood Education is intended to develop the learners’ understanding of a wide range of topics relevant to early childhood development theories. The focus of this qualification is on understanding both developmental patterns and sequences in children’s development, and how the context of this impacts on children’s progress. Learners will engage with foundational theories and models that have shaped understanding of child development, and contemporary theory that explores emerging trends in early childhood education.

The qualification is focused on how young children develop through being active in the world around them, how they explore, observe and experience the world through all their senses. To scaffold this, learners will study how to best create environments which support learning and the current pedagogical practices, understanding the need for adapting provision to meet the needs of individual children.

Other topics include personal, social and emotional development, children’s learning processes, from play based learning to cognitive milestones; and working with parents and families. The learner will also engage in understanding how children form their identities, and regulate emotions, developmental milestones, individual differences, and supporting children’s growth. The learner will also be able to understand the support required for children who may need additional support to enable them to maintain developmental progress and to learn.

Successful completion of this qualification will allow learners to progress to further study in Early Years professional settings.

Entry Requirements

These qualifications are designed for learners who are typically aged 18 and above.  

The entry profile for learners is likely to include at least one of the following:

• Relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent qualification 
• GCE Advanced level in 3 subjects or equivalent qualification 
• Mature learners (over 21) with relevant management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)

English requirements: If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country, they must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit the English Language Expectations page on the OTHM website.

Equivalences

OTHM qualifications at RQF Level 4 represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competences that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Year 1 of a three-year UK Bachelor's degree programme.

Qualification Structure

OTHM Level 4 Diploma qualifications represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competences that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Year 1 of a three-year UK Bachelor's degree programme.

Mandatory Units

• Academic Writing and Research Skills 
• Nurturing Growth and Development in Early Childhood
• Fostering Collaborative and Inclusive Relationships in Early Childhood Setting 
• Learning and Development Through Play 
• Unlocking Words: Exploring Early Language and Communication
• Early Personal, Social and Emotional Development   

Duration and Delivery

The qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

Assessment and Verification

All units within this qualification are assessed  and internally quality assured by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the assessor.

Specific assessment guidance and relevant marking criteria for each unit are made available in the Assignment Brief document. These are made available to centres immediately after registration of one or more learners.

The assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.

Progressions

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress into employment as an assessor or onto to further qualifications For more information visit University Progressions page.