Nursery World - Early Childhood Studies: The first degree

Is an early years degree course the way forward for ambitious childcarers? Mary Evans finds out whether the graduates consider it time well spent

Britain's first degree course in Early Childhood Studies is in its tenth year at Bristol University, and more than 2,000 students join similar academic programmes across the country each year. But what happens to them when they graduate? Is the ECS degree a route into teaching? Is it a doorway to senior positions in childcare and related careers? Is it instrumental in the creation of a high-calibre early years workforce?

Firm evidence is difficult to find, as the institutions offering ECS degrees operate independently of one another. However, Pamela Calder, convenor of the ECS Degrees Network, says network members, representing around 30 universities, report that each course enrols about 80 students a year and they are all over-subscribed.

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