Early Years Degree

[hermione]

I completed the Certificate in Early Years in October and really enjoyed the course. I decided to keep going towards an Early Years Degree. I am now studying OU course E115 and but am really struggling for inspiration and motivation. Is anyone else doing the course who could offer some advice. Is this course really worth doing, at the moment I feel i am that i am only doing it because i have already paid the fees.

[sarahnev707]

I don't envy you Hermione - I've heard E115 described as 'a pile of dog poo' by a friend who did it - she said the amount of photocopying was outrageous! But it's one you have to do to get the degree isn't it?

Are you getting any help from the OU online support group? I have to be honest, the one for E123 is next to useless so far. I've just finished my TMA1 and am handing it in tomorrow - fingers crossed! My local group is nice though and I've made a few good contacts already - can you find someone local to you who you can work with? I know it's making a lot of difference to me, being able to swap emails with Denise and Linda

I think this is one you just have to get through! I'm sure there are nicer ones you can take on your journey towards the full degree

Sarahx

[hermione]

I agree Sarah, the online support groups aren't much help. The courses seem to cater more for other early years workers, as childminders it is hard to find the evidence required. I am from a tiny village in Northern Ireland and only one local childminders is doing the degree with a different university. I chose the OU as it was distance learning. I have been lucky enough to join a study group formed by childminders from the OU support forum . Hopefully with their help and Christmas out of the way things will start to get easier..

[lisaurry]

Hi there,

I am just about to look into doing something with the OU, do you think its worthwhile?? Can you give me any advise?

thanks
Lisa x

[linda]

Hi Hermoine i am doing E123 and E124 and am really struggling with starting first tma on E124 I found E123 easy i wish the tutor would show us an example of the first tma01 of E124 and then it might be a bit clearer.
I am going to do the E115 next hopefully next year when i have finished E123 and E124 if i ever finish.
Lindaxx

[hermione]

Hi Lisa

I do think the early years degree is worthwhile. It lets parents know that we take our pride in our role as childminders. It also provides an avenue to teaching or other careers should you decide to continue on fron childminding. With the OU you can study at your own pace. You can start of with two shorter courses (E123 and E124) which will give you a taster as well as a certificate in early years practice. If you enjoy the study you can then go further.

[niecynoo]

Hi Hermione i'm Denise who Sarah mentioned, I'm doing E123 & E124 I think having the support of others is important my email is on my profile so feel free to get in touch anytime

Denise xxx

[lisaurry]

Hi Hermione,

thanks for the advise. I have read that its best to do one at a time, starting with E123 before trying E124 - is this what you think? I've just sent off my application for the E123 today, and am quite excited about it. I would like to go all the way to a degree, even though its going to take years!

I don't want to take on too much, but on the other hand, I want to get through it - and not at a snail pace!

thanks
Lisa x

[sarahnev707]

Hi Lisa - I'm not as brave as Denise and Linda - I am doing e123 now and have just applied for e124 to start in Feb when hopefully I'll be a way down the road with e123....

It's great to show continued professional development and while it's being funded for me, I think I'd be daft not to take advantage of what OU has to offer

Sarahx

[hermione]

Hi Lisa

I think it depends on how well you can organise your time.
I am a mother to four children, I look after another three during the day and I am also a guide leader. But I still found time to complete E123 and E124 last year. I did them both together because I knew I wanted to go on to do the degree and other courses are 60pts. I felt if i couldn't cope with the two 30pts courses together then there was no chance of being able to do the 60pt courses. Although I have heard since then that one 60pts course is easier than 2 shorter courses. I think it is down to the individual, we all know what we are capable of. The most hectic time is when the assignments are due so be careful not to fall behind.

[hermione]

I think if you have any doubts at all you should do what Sarah has done and postpone E124 until Feb.

I know there were many times when having handed an assignment in for E124 I would discover that the next section of E123 was covering that topic.

I didn't do as well in E124 as I did in E123 and in hindsight, I think I would have done better had I completed E123 first.

[kelly]

Hi Hermione

like you I completed E123 & E124 in October, but I decided to have a break, well done for having the motivation to keep going. Do you know how you did in your E123 & E124 yet? I am hoping to find out before Xmas, I just didn't want to go on until I knew the results! Good luck sorry I can't offer any help though

Kelly

[lisaurry]

Hi there,

thanks for your advice. The E123 and 124 both start now in February, so if I do them, they will be together.

I have time to decide though, until then. I have put my application in for the first one, so don't think it would be hard to add the other one to it if I need to.

How much study time would I need per week??

thanks
Lisa x

[kelly]

I think it is suggested you need 8 hours per course per week. I managed to put in about 2 hours per night. I did find myself working all weekend when assignments were due in though + finding time for tutorials.

As long as your organised it is do able

[hermione]

I didn't take a break because i thought if i stopped i might not get back into the way of studying. Next two courses have a feb start though and this course doesn't finish to May so I might have to take a break.

I found I had enough time to complete both courses at once but although I read through all the course materials I did skip quite a few of the activities, especially towards the end when I was only concerned with getting the ECA's finished.

[mel]

Sorry to jump in on this link but I just wondered how long it would take to complete the E123 and E124. I've just been told I can receive funding for them so it seems silly not to take the local authority up on the offer. I can see that I have 4 years to complete the course should I need it but I wondered what the average was?

Mel x

[kelly]

Mel

The E123 & E124 courses last 9 months you can do them separately or together.

Kelly