Introduction

The Bachelor in Education in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies is a new programme developed for delivery by the Open Campus. It is conducted over three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study, with a total of 90 credits or 1170 hours.

This programme is designed to equip early childhood professionals within the Commonwealth Caribbean countries with the requisite knowledge and skills to work effectively with young children and their families from birth through eight years of age. The teaching and learning strategies in this programme are designed to support digital literacy and students will be encouraged to share knowledge and best practices within the region.

The courses will also make connections with international perspectives on early childhood development, giving students the opportunity to learn about how other countries support children and their families within their society. The programme provides a flexible framework online and will include both asynchronous and synchronous forms of interaction.

Visit the ECDFS Website

Who is this programme for?

Our laddered Early Childhood Development & Family Studies programme is suitable for those seeking to obtain a Certificate or a Degree in early childhood development and family studies, including graduates with a certificate or associate degree in early childhood education. We also welcome students who wish to pursue this as a career path with no experience of working with young children and their families.

"The laws on Early Childhood Teacher Training of ones respective country supersede consideration for acceptance in the programme".

Programme Structure

All courses are delivered online and students must have a computer with reliable internet access. Before students begin their studies they need to complete a mandatory online training programme upon registration. This online training programme will provide students with the required skills and competencies to navigate the learning exchange. The courses within the B.Ed ECDFS programme are designed into different categories:

• ECFS- Early childhood courses
• FOUN- University foundation courses
• EDTK & EDLM- Elective courses

When will the programme start?

Students may start this programme in August of each academic year.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should meet normal or lower matriculation AND have an acceptable pass in CXC-CSEC (General Proficiency) Mathematics or its equivalent.

Normal Level

An acceptable pass in English A in an examination of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC-CSEC), or an acceptable equivalent AND one of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Holders of CXC-CSEC Certificates, General Certificates of Education (GCE) (or the approved equivalents) who satisfy either Scheme A or Scheme B as stated below:

Scheme A:They possess FIVE (5) subjects of which at least TWO (2) must be GCE

Advanced Level (A’ Level)* passes, while the remainder may be acceptable passes in the CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations.

Scheme B:They possess passes in FOUR (4) subjects of which at least THREE must be GCE A’ Level** passes, while the fourth may be an acceptable pass in the CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations.

2. Holders of Certificates and Diplomas awarded by this University

3. Holders of an Associate Degree from the UWI, or from approved Caribbean tertiary level institutions with a minimum GPA of 2.5

* Candidates who have passed two two-unit courses in a particular subject area fall

within the two A’ Level matriculation standard (Reference Scheme A).

** Six CAPE units, including the two single-unit courses – Caribbean Studies and

Communication Studies will be accepted under normal matriculation

(Reference Scheme B)

Lower Level

The following are eligible for lower level matriculation for admission to degree programmes:

1.      Holders of five (5) CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level passes or equivalent, not necessarily

obtained at the same sitting, as follows:

 (i) English (A), and

(ii) Mathematics or a foreign language, or an approved science (not Health Science), or additional Mathematics or Geography

(iii) Three (3) other approved subjects not already counted above.

2.      Persons over the age of 21, who have been out of school for at least five years, on the basis of their overall academic and professional attainments.

3.      Holders of one of the approved certificates from the School of Continuing Studies with an acceptable pass in English Language

NOTE: The same subject cannot be counted at both CXC-CSEC General Proficiency and GCE O’ Level.

English Language Proficiency Examination

The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) is used to assess whether persons applying to pursue

undergraduate degree programmes at the UWI Open Campus possess a satisfactory level of writing

and reading proficiency in English for university academic purposes. For detailed information on the

ELPT, see English Language Proficiency Test.

Academic Preparation

ELPT- English Language Proficiency Test

IYMS- Improving your Math Skills

Mandatory Online Orientation