Early Childhood Education and Care

Would you like to study social education focused on children aged 0-6 years in a different and innovative way? Join Early Childhood Education and Care based from a Danish pedagogical approach and learning style. We combine theory and methods with real life practice.

Type

Exchange

Duration

1 semester (30 ECTS)

Campus city

Randers

Study start

August and February

About the Early Childhood Education exchange programme

  • Application deadline:

    • Autumn semester: 1 May (Study start: medio August - End: start January)
    • Spring semester: 1 November (Study start: start February - End: ultimo June)

    Language: 

    The programme is taught in English 

    In Early Childhood Education & Daycare you will get a thorough introduction to the Danish pedagogical daycare practice; a pedagogy known for its recognition of the child and the creative approach, respecting the individual needs of the child concerning wellbeing, development and learning. 

    As part of the course, you will participate in an internship in Danish daycare institutions. This combination of theory and practice is crucial to Danish social education. 

    The modules

    During the semester the students will attend three modules.

    1st. Practicum: Basic professional practice and competences (10 ECTS)

    This module aims at participation in pedagogical practice within daycare internship. Pedagogical work is first and for the most relational work with the children.

    Throughout the practicum, relational work is constantly practiced and learned in committed professional relationships.

    The competence goal for 1st. practicum is that students try to plan, implement, document and evaluate different pedagogical activities, through participation in pedagogical practice at the practicum institution, additionally reflecting and assessing their own learning processes and experiences from practice.

    During the practicum, the student involves the work portfolio as a tool for reflection and documentation.

    Oral, individual exam, based on a written portfolio. Passed or not passed.

    Childhood, culture and learning (Module 7 in the curriculum) (10 ECTS)

    The module, together with Module 8, must qualify the student for the specialization's 1st. competence goal exam (sK1):

    The student is able to utilize nature, as well as cultural media and forms of expression to create developmental and learning processes for 0-6 year old children, and furthermore to incorporate the perspective of children into their creativity, play and pedagogical activities.

    The module aims at pedagogical and aesthetic processes in the Daycare´s everyday life. The central issue is knowledge according to the child´s well-being, formation, play, learning and development, and how the Daycare institution's pedagogical foundation and learning environments are important in that regard.

    The knowledge is used to investigate, create and develop pedagogical, cultural and aesthetic interactions and forms of expression together with children, with the inclusion of their different perspectives, resources and upbringing conditions.

    Students will focus on the daycare practice, in particular the ability to produce curricula from a professional educational point of view.

    Evaluated through study products.

    Professional knowledge and research (Module 8 in the curriculum) (10 ECTS)

    The module is a part of the specialization in daycare pedagogy. This area focuses on the incorporation of culture, nature and aesthetic forms of expression in educational activities that support children's development, well-being, formation and learning.
    The module, together with Module 7, must qualify the student for the specialization of daycare, related to the competence goal and for the exam (sK1): The student can apply nature as well as cultural media and other expression forms to create developmental and learning processes for 0-6 year old children, as well as including the children's perspective, their creativity and play in educational activities.
    This module has a historical, ethical and scientific perspective on daycare pedagogy. Curriculum construction and ethical dilemmas upon pedagogical work and practice with children, are all central parts of the module. The module combines skills and knowledge about how scientific theories and methods, including evidence-based methods, in everyday daycare pedagogical practice.

    Group exam. Written portfolio and oral dialogue. 7 grade scale. The student must have approved the participation requirements in Module 7 and Module 8 in the specialization of daycare, to attend the exam.

  • The minimum requirement to apply for the course is to have passed the first two semesters at bachelor’s level at your relevant university or another institute of higher education.

    With regards to language proficiency, it is required to have an English level, spoken and written, equivalent to B2, according to the Common European Framework.

    Who can apply?

    Any student, from a partner university, is welcome to apply. The programme is designed for students of social education, teaching and/or social work.

    If you do not know whether your home institution is among VIA's partners, please contact the international office at your home institution.

  • Your home institution must have an inter-institutional agreement with VIA University College in order for you to be able to apply for an exchange programme at VIA.

    If an agreement exists, you will be able to fill in the application form. Please be aware that VIA must receive a nomination from your home institution as well. 

    Go to the application portal to apply now

  • Exchange students do not pay tuition fees.

    Per definition, exchange stays are an exchange of one or more students between partner universities and therefore, exchange students do not pay tuition fees.

    If you do not know, if your institution is a partner of VIA, please contact the international office at your home institution. If your institution is not a partner of VIA and you would like us to discuss the possibility of establishing an exchange agreement with your home institution, please contact us at bell@via.dk.

  • Student counselling

    VIA University College
    Jens Otto Krags Plads 3
    8900 Randers

    Anne-Mette Nystrøm Søndergaard
    International Administrative Coordinator
    T: +45 87 55 34 06
    E: amsj@via.dk

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