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About the course
Develop advanced early childhood teaching through critical reflection on curriculum, inclusion and child development. You will assess existing practice and design a focused improvement grounded in children’s learning evidence.
What you'll learn
- Critically evaluate an early-years curriculum approach.
- Design inclusive learning experiences for a defined age group.
- Interpret observation evidence without labelling children.
- Evaluate family participation and child-protection arrangements.
- Report a practice improvement using suitable evidence.
Requirements
- Entry requires a relevant bachelor’s degree or an assessed equivalent. English Language is required. BMIT assesses any professional registration, prior practice or supervised-placement requirement specific to this postgraduate diploma.
- African Kalanga is a compulsory graduation subject in every year of this programme. BMIT confirms the approved entry route, any recognition of prior learning and access to required practical facilities before enrolment.
Course content
Sections: 3
•Activities: 1
•Resources: 16
Subjects in this programme
The complete subject sequence below moves from foundations to specialist application. Stages show learning progression. Practical work and the final project draw together the subjects studied.
13 subjects are listed below, with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Foundations
- Child Development. Examine development across early and middle childhood in context. You will examine physical development, language development, social relationships. Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
- Play-Based Early Learning. Organise purposeful play around children's developmental needs. You will examine play environments, exploration, language in play. Create a play-based learning area and observation record.
- Emergent Literacy. Support reading and writing foundations through language-rich learning. You will examine oral storytelling, print awareness, listening. Create a story sequence using TjiKalanga or another home language alongside English.
- Early Mathematical Learning. Develop early mathematical ideas through everyday situations. You will examine counting, comparison, sorting. Prepare guided early-mathematics activities with observation prompts.
- Inclusive Practice in Early Childhood. Develop early identification, accessible play and family support. Use the foundation principles in more demanding teaching cases and evaluate the resulting learner evidence.
- Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood. Develop play observation, learning records and developmental feedback. Use the foundation principles in more demanding teaching cases and evaluate the resulting learner evidence.
- Families and Early Childhood Communities. Build respectful relationships between learning settings and families. You will examine family diversity, home languages, communication. Develop a family engagement and school-transition plan.
- Early Childhood Centre Management. Coordinate a centre's learning, staffing and administrative work. You will examine centre planning, staff roles, resources. Prepare a centre operating plan and improvement priorities.
Stage 2: Core subjects
- Research Methods and Evidence Analysis. Plan an enquiry suited to a specific social or organisational question. You will compare qualitative and quantitative approaches, prepare ethical data collection and assess evidence quality. The module connects research questions to sampling, analysis and clear reporting of uncertainty and limitations.
- Classroom Action Research. Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
- Teaching Practice III: Professional Integration. Integrate planning, teaching and assessment in an approved placement. You will examine independent planning, supervised delivery, learner support. Complete supervised teaching and defend a professional portfolio.
African History and Pan Africanism
- African History and Pan Africanism 101 (Level 1, compulsory core module): Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201 (Level 2, compulsory core module): Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Assessment and practical learning
- Critical curriculum and practice reviews.
- A revised learning sequence with observation tools.
- An applied professional enquiry and presentation.
Practical application
Complete a proposed improvement enquiry within an approved early-years setting. Document the teaching problem, planned change, consent arrangements, observations and reflective conclusions.
African History and Pan Africanism practical learning
- African History and Pan Africanism 101: Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201: Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Subject descriptions
Each subject below includes its purpose, learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment approach.
Child Development
Stage 1: Foundations
Examine development across early and middle childhood in context. You will examine physical development, language development, social relationships. Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Learning outcomes
- Explain physical development in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between language development and social relationships.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing emotional regulation, play and family context.
Main topics
- Physical development
- Language development
- Social relationships
- Emotional regulation
- Play
- Family context
Practical task
Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Play-Based Early Learning
Stage 1: Foundations
Organise purposeful play around children's developmental needs. You will examine play environments, exploration, language in play. Create a play-based learning area and observation record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain play environments in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between exploration and language in play.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing early numeracy, social interaction and observation.
Main topics
- Play environments
- Exploration
- Language in play
- Early numeracy
- Social interaction
- Observation
Practical task
Create a play-based learning area and observation record.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Emergent Literacy
Stage 1: Foundations
Support reading and writing foundations through language-rich learning. You will examine oral storytelling, print awareness, listening. Create a story sequence using TjiKalanga or another home language alongside English.
Learning outcomes
- Explain oral storytelling in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between print awareness and listening.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing sound awareness, early writing and home literacy.
Main topics
- Oral storytelling
- Print awareness
- Listening
- Sound awareness
- Early writing
- Home literacy
Practical task
Create a story sequence using TjiKalanga or another home language alongside English.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Early Mathematical Learning
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop early mathematical ideas through everyday situations. You will examine counting, comparison, sorting. Prepare guided early-mathematics activities with observation prompts.
Learning outcomes
- Explain counting in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between comparison and sorting.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing pattern, shape and spatial language.
Main topics
- Counting
- Comparison
- Sorting
- Pattern
- Shape
- Spatial language
Practical task
Prepare guided early-mathematics activities with observation prompts.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Inclusive Practice in Early Childhood
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop early identification, accessible play and family support. Use the foundation principles in more demanding teaching cases and evaluate the resulting learner evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning barriers in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between universal design and differentiation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing assistive resources, referral and family collaboration.
Main topics
- Early identification
- Accessible play and family support
- Assistive resources
- Referral
- Family collaboration
Practical task
Plan, teach and evaluate a supervised activity focused on early identification, accessible play and family support.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop play observation, learning records and developmental feedback. Use the foundation principles in more demanding teaching cases and evaluate the resulting learner evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain assessment purpose in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between task design and marking criteria.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing feedback, moderation and use of results.
Main topics
- Play observation
- Learning records and developmental feedback
- Feedback
- Moderation
- Use of results
Practical task
Plan, teach and evaluate a supervised activity focused on play observation, learning records and developmental feedback.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Families and Early Childhood Communities
Stage 1: Foundations
Build respectful relationships between learning settings and families. You will examine family diversity, home languages, communication. Develop a family engagement and school-transition plan.
Learning outcomes
- Explain family diversity in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between home languages and communication.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing participation, community resources and transition to school.
Main topics
- Family diversity
- Home languages
- Communication
- Participation
- Community resources
- Transition to school
Practical task
Develop a family engagement and school-transition plan.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Early Childhood Centre Management
Stage 1: Foundations
Coordinate a centre's learning, staffing and administrative work. You will examine centre planning, staff roles, resources. Prepare a centre operating plan and improvement priorities.
Learning outcomes
- Explain centre planning in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between staff roles and resources.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing records, family services and quality review.
Main topics
- Centre planning
- Staff roles
- Resources
- Records
- Family services
- Quality review
Practical task
Prepare a centre operating plan and improvement priorities.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Research Methods and Evidence Analysis
Stage 2: Core subjects
Plan an enquiry suited to a specific social or organisational question. You will compare qualitative and quantitative approaches, prepare ethical data collection and assess evidence quality. The module connects research questions to sampling, analysis and clear reporting of uncertainty and limitations.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a research question
- Select a defensible research design
- Prepare an ethical data collection plan
Main topics
- Research questions
- Literature review
- Design choices
- Sampling
- Ethics
- Data analysis
Practical task
Submit a research proposal, instruments and a worked analysis of a pilot dataset.
Assessment
Assessment combines applied exercises, a documented case or practical portfolio and an individual written or oral explanation. Judgement considers technical accuracy, reasoning, evidence quality and the feasibility of recommendations.
Classroom Action Research
Stage 2: Core subjects
Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem identification in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between evidence review and action planning.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing classroom evidence, evaluation and revision.
Main topics
- Problem identification
- Evidence review
- Action planning
- Classroom evidence
- Evaluation
- Revision
Practical task
Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Teaching Practice III: Professional Integration
Stage 2: Core subjects
Integrate planning, teaching and assessment in an approved placement. You will examine independent planning, supervised delivery, learner support. Complete supervised teaching and defend a professional portfolio.
Learning outcomes
- Explain independent planning in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between supervised delivery and learner support.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing professional collaboration, evidence of learning and development planning.
Main topics
- Independent planning
- Supervised delivery
- Learner support
- Professional collaboration
- Evidence of learning
- Development planning
Practical task
Complete supervised teaching and defend a professional portfolio.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
African History and Pan Africanism 101
Compulsory core module · Level 1
Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
Learning outcomes
- Place selected African societies and events within a supported historical timeline.
- Compare historical sources and identify perspective, evidence and uncertainty.
- Explain the foundations of Pan Africanism and the contributions of Africans and the diaspora.
Main topics
- Historical inquiry, chronology, oral traditions and source evaluation
- African civilisations, states, trade, livelihoods and knowledge systems
- Southern African history, including Mapungubgwe and Great Zimbabwe
- Slavery, the African diaspora and changing ideas about identity
- Origins of Pan Africanism, solidarity, self-determination and cultural expression
Practical task
Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
Assessment
Submit the timeline or poster, an annotated source list and a short explanation of the evidence. Assessment considers chronology, historical accuracy, source judgement and the clarity of your interpretation.
Learning resources
African History and Pan Africanism 201
Compulsory core module · Level 2
Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse the effects of colonial rule on land, labour, institutions and social relations.
- Compare liberation movements and Pan African arguments using contextual evidence.
- Explain how different groups shaped independence, solidarity and debates about freedom.
Main topics
- Colonial rule, land, labour, education and forms of resistance
- Nationalism, liberation and the end of colonial rule and apartheid
- Pan African congresses, organisations and contrasting interpretations
- Women, labour movements and diaspora participation
- The Organisation of African Unity and debates about unity, sovereignty and development
Practical task
Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Assessment
Submit the case study, a source comparison and a reflection on your conclusions. Assessment considers context, evidence, recognition of different perspectives and the quality of your argument.
Learning resources
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Postgraduate Diploma in Childhood Education
Course modified date: 13 October 2026
Develop advanced early childhood teaching through critical reflection on curriculum, inclusion and child development. You will assess existing practice and design a focused improvement grounded in children’s learning evidence.
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