The pilot scheme, which supports the development of the Foundation Degree in Childcare, has been set up by Aimhigher Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire (MKOB), one of 45 partnerships across England. It is part of a national campaign funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Education and Skills.
Under the scheme, universities negotiate funding for places with HEFCE and the early years partnerships pay for the bursaries, so the only cost to the working student is 50 tuition fees.
Through links with Oxford Brookes University, local colleges and early years partnerships, Aimhigher MKOB has increased the number of places on part-time foundation degrees in childcare in Oxfordshire from 18 to 36, with the level expected to reach 72 by 2006.
Fay Croft, manager of Aimhigher MKOB, said, 'If our model of attracting more early years workers on to the foundation degree in childcare is successful, it has the potential to be used by other Aimhigher partnerships across England.'
To find out more about Aimhigher visit the website www.aimhigher.ac.uk. A local representative can be contacted via www.actiononaccess.org/aimhigh/aimhigh.
Last year Aimhigher MKOB - - found that over 2000 early years workers in the area were interested in studying locally and in the workplace at higher education level.
Manager Fay Croft said, 'By 2006 we expect the number of places to increase to 72. The universities have to negotiate funding for the places with the Higher Education Funding Council, but we've brought in the early years partnerships to pay for bursaries. This means the only cost to the working student is 50 in tuition fees.'
She added, 'If our model of attracting more early years workers on to the Foundation Degree in childcare is successful, it has the potential to be used by other Aimhigher partnerships across England.'
Nick Swarbrick, senior lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the Westminster Institute, Oxford Brookes University, said, 'This expansion is very timely, in the light of the Government's move to increase the number of highly qualified people working in the sector.'
For more information see the website www.aimhigher.ac.uk. To contact a local representative see www.actiononaccess.org/ aimhigh/aimhigh.
