People working in childcare are being invited to consider a degree at Abingdon and Witney College.

From September, the college will be offering 18 extra places on a part-time Foundation Degree, in partnership with Oxford Brookes University.

The move came as a result of an survey by the Aim Higher partnership for Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, which found that there were more than 2,000 employees working in early years in the county who might benefit from study at higher education level.

The Early Years Foundation Degree will take two years to complete with students attending classes from 4pm-8pm one day a week.

Abingdon and Witney College is holding an information evening at its Abingdon campus on Monday, June 27, from 5.30-6.30pm.

More details are available from Liz Branson on 01235 530188 or Maureen Jones on 01865 488609.

Nick Swarbrick, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the Westminster Institute, Oxford Brookes said: "The Foundation Degree fulfils a need that many Early Years practitioners have felt for some time. This expansion is also very timely in the light of the government's move to increase the number of highly qualified people working in the sector."

Light refreshments will be provided and there will be a short presentation followed by the chance to ask questions and tour the campus and its facilities.