This module is appropriate for anyone with an interest in the lives and learning of young children including current early childhood practitioners who want to develop their knowledge and understanding for professional roles linked to careers in education, health and social care.
This module aims to help you develop an understanding of early childhood from a range of perspectives, highlighting the central importance of the child’s voice and the participatory nature of young children’s experiences in different contexts. The module is divided into three blocks of study:
Block 1: Starting with the child
In this block you develop your knowledge and understanding of children’s learning, development, emotional well-being, play and fundamental rights.
Block 2: Responding to the child
In this block you consider how we as adults can build learning relationships with children. How can we ensure they are listened to and involved? How can we observe, guide and plan to ensure that learning is a rich and meaningful experience for them? How can we create environments that encourage exploration and discovery and which can include all children?
Block 3: Making provision for early childhood
In this block you explore how policy and practice can have an impact on children’s experiences. You will think about how children’s learning experiences are supported by provision such as pre-schools, nurseries and child-minders as well as local and national policies.
This module aims to provide you with insights into many aspects of children’s learning experiences and how adults can support these. The module draws on examples and studies both from within and outside the UK, for example from New Zealand, Italy and Scandinavia. By using such a wide range of resources, the intention is to broaden your perspective and extend your thinking beyond situations that may be more familiar.
During this module you will compare and contrast practice that you observe in early childhood settings with the ideas about working with children that you study. You will be encouraged to reflect on the practice and experiences that you see and how these might be adapted or changed, with a focus on the significance of equity, diversity and inclusion in early childhood. You will explore these different areas through studying the module materials, which include printed books, audio and video recordings and on-line activities.
The aim of the module is to enable students to develop as creative, imaginative and reflective learners as a foundation for employment and further academic study in the field of early childhood. In this qualification the key aim linked to employability and career progression is to prepare students to become skilled, flexible and reflective practitioners able to transfer skills to a range of professional contexts. Modules in this qualification will include specific learning outcomes to support the development of professional employability skills linked to careers in education, health and social care, and will include Personal Development Planning (PDP).
The Personal Development Plan (PDP) and the learning journal that you compile during the module may contribute to a portfolio of evidence of learning together with: the module activities you complete; observations of practice; and your reflections on your role and provision.
This module is compulsory for students studying towards a Certificate of Higher Education or a BA (Honours) Early Childhood. These qualifications provide a foundation for entry to a range of careers working with and for young children and their families. They are also suitable for those wanting to move into careers in teaching, health or social work.
In Scotland, this module is not suitable for those seeking support worker, practitioner, lead practitioner or manager level registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
The module is organised into three study blocks and you will receive a printed book for each block. You will also have access to the module website which includes: online activities to support your studies; film and audio material; details of the assignments; and links to online forums for you to interact with fellow students and your tutor.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
E109 is a compulsory module in our:
E109 is an option module in our:
Exploring perspectives on young children’s lives and learning (E109) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2031.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic or experiential requirements to study this module.
However, it’s essential that you have an interest in young children’s lives and learning. If you're not already working or volunteering in an early childhood setting, it would also be beneficial for you to arrange access to one. We recommend you visit a setting weekly/fortnightly.
Note: Access to schools will require you to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria in your country to work with children. You and your setting are responsible for ensuring you meet these requirements, not the OU.
The study of the module is not limited to the UK. Students anywhere within Continental Western Europe can study this module.
If you’re not sure you’re ready, talk to an adviser.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E109 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
