The distance learning BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Top Up programme, run by University Centre Doncaster (UCD), has been very successful with students accessing the programme from far and wide: Plymouth, Bristol, London, Shropshire and closer to home in Doncaster.

This year we are celebrating the success of the practitioners who undertook the top up alongside the EYITT Practitioner Pathway. Many have excelled with a record number of First Class honours degrees and high 2:1s being awarded. This has been due to the hard work and commitment of the practitioners, many of whom juggle the pressures of family and full time work commitments alongside their study programme.

This year the early years team also celebrated the highest score across all UCD programmes for a dissertation: 88% was achieved by Kendall Stuart- Smith with an interesting topic, ‘Can introducing foundation skills activities develop a child’s neuromotor development and prepare them for formal learning?’.

The platform for delivering the learning content is through the institutional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard Learn- one of the two largest and most reliable providers of technology for online delivery in the UK. The learning schedule for the programme provides a clear indication of the activities, guided reading and assessment preparation which students need to undertake on a weekly basis. The course emphasises the use of current online resources alongside traditional book publications which enhance accessibility for students. This, coupled with excellent student support, has ensured students achieve to their full potential.

If you know anyone who might be interested in undertaking their top up degree this way, forward them the following link: https://www.don.ac.uk/courses/dhc00028/