Your induction timetable
Induction Day Year 1
About the session
Welcome to the Early Years Foundation degree – we're looking forward to introducing you to the university and the early years programme. During the day we'll get to know each other while sharing information about the modules you'll be studying. You'll also have chance to explore the campus and find out about the support and opportunities available to you throughout your studies.
Foundation degree in Early Years Education (2 years) Year 2
About the session
Welcome back to your second year at St. Mary's. This induction day will be an opportunity to meet with your personal tutors and spend time discussing your roles with your peers and tutors. We'll explore the modules for Year 2 and opportunities available to you in this year of study.
University-wide induction
Your Welcome Week timetable
Try some of the welcome activities and socials on campus during 15-19 September. From fitness to freebies, they're great ways to settle into university life.
Pre-induction tasks
Over the summer, please review the pre-course tasks below. Completing these will help you prepare for your Semester 1 modules starting on 16 September.
EYE4001 – How Children Learn
Watch this short video: How Do Children Learn Effectively?
Consider the following
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What is the main idea of the text?
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What do you already know about this topic?
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What did you learn from the text?
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How/why/when could you apply this information in practice?
Learning like a child challenge
Experience learning the way a child does—through play, discovery, and creativity.
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Choose a simple, unfamiliar skill (e.g., origami, juggling, a new dance move).
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Learn to do it without formal instruction, only through exploration, trial and error (ask for help if you need to.
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What help did you choose to use? (instruction)
Reflect
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How did I approach the learning?
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What helped me?
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What was difficult/frustrating?
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How does this relate to children’s learning?
EYE4003 – Professional Development 1
This module introduces you to essential skills for success at University. Areas covered include academic writing skills such as note-taking and essay structure, organisation and study skills and personal skills analysis.
Pre-course task
To prepare for this module, consider your current role in your setting as well as any previous roles. Make a list of the skills you use to enable you to carry out your role effectively. Then write some short notes to reflect on when you have used these skills. Which skills do you use most? Why is this the case?
Also consider tasks you need to carry out where you feel less confident.
What might help you to develop those skills?
These questions will form part of the first lecture when we will be considering areas of strength and skills, knowledge and understanding you wish to develop both professionally and in an academic setting. Any short notes will help in discussion. You will also use your notes for the first reflective writing task.
If you can, please listen to this really interesting Podcast titled, "Establishing a belief in the potential of ALL pupils."
Do you agree with the discussion?
How can we create a classroom for all pupils to believe in themselves to make progress in their learning?
EYE4004 – PSED in the Early Years
Watch these videos
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Introduction to Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
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Typical Stages of PSED in Young Children
Reflection questions
Pack your emotional backpack
Create an “Emotional Backpack” filled with key experiences that shaped your personal, social, and emotional growth as a child. You can use:
Ideas to consider
Fill your backpack with real items or use representations (use your imagination!)
Think about childhood moments—photos, drawings, objects, songs, or even words describing emotions.
Each item could connect to PSED themes (e.g., attachment, resilience, self-regulation). Write a short reflection answering: Which childhood experiences helped build my confidence?
How did relationships (family, teachers, peers) shape my emotions?
What early experiences taught me resilience or empathy?
On the first day of the course, bring your ‘backpacks’ and share a key item with peers.
Here's an additional pre-induction programme for students in the following categories. If you feel you'd benefit from additional support, you're eligible to apply to Get Set for Success:
- Students who've previously been eligible for free school meals
- First generation students (the first in family to go to university)
- Estranged students (students no longer in contact with their families)
- Care experienced students (students who have spent some time in local authority care)
- Students who are carers
- Students from Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller (GRT) backgrounds
- Students with academic qualifications other than A-levels (BTEC, diploma, etc)
- Refugees and asylum seekers
Find out more about Get Set for Success or contact getsetforsuccess@stmarys.ac.uk.