Completion of the following modules:
Childhood Development (15 credits)
Rights and Diversity (15 credits)
Leadership for Quality (15 credits)
Multi-Professional Perspectives (15 credits)

In this module students will be expected to develop their personal and professional practice and provide an opportunity to reflect upon a change in their work practice linked to organisational need.

Students will reflect on their personal attitudes, commitments and practice within the workplace and will examine the benefits of reflective practice to their professional development.

Students will evaluate a range of research methods and discuss the ethical and moral responsibilities of the reflective practitioner, including confidentiality, validity, reliability and deception.

The learning strategies will require students to commit 300 learning hours of which 40 hours will consist of contact time.
Lectures (10 x 4hrs) provide students with a broad theoretical overview and the conceptual framework which underpins the development of their personal practice.

Tutorial and placement support activities will provide students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills to apply the underpinning theories to their own context, in preparation for the assessment. Peer group discussion will allow students to share ideas and experiences.

A further 260 hours of independent study will require students to reflect on their work context and any practice change they wish to develop. This will also include personal reading related to their chosen focus.

Guided reading and supported self study - students will be provided with booklists and reading tasks in order to enable them to engage with relevant and appropriate debates.

Critically evaluate a range of research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and draw up a plan for small scale independent research, including recognition of any potential ethical and/or moral issues. 50%
(Plan to go before Ethical Research Panel). (LO's 3, 5).

Review and make appropriate revisions to professional development log, carried over from previous studies, reflecting on personal changes and changes in professional practice. 50% (LO's 1,2,4)

Bell, J. (1995) Doing Your Research Project (2nd ed), Buckingham, OU Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K., (2000), Research Methods in Education, (5th ed) Oxford, Routledge Falmer
Denscombe, M. (1998) The Good Research Guide, Buckingham, OUP
Green, S., (2000), Research Methods, Cheltenham, Stanley Thornes.
MacNaughton, G., Rolfe, S. and Siraj-Blatchford, I., (2001) Doing Early Childhood Research, Buckingham, OUP.

Multi media classroom resources, learning resource centre, internet , journals and access to tutor