They'd count towards a degree, but if you particularly want the named Psychology degree that is accredited by the BPS then the degree path is set in stone with 285 points of compulsory courses. This leaves you 75 points: 60 of those are likely to be taken up by your level 1 course(s), leaving 15 points which can be from any course you like.
If you'd rather have more flexibility about which courses you do, then perhaps an Open degree would be the best option? It depends what you want to do with the degree afterwards, really.
Regarding the step up from level 1 to 2, the OU recommends that you do at least one level 1 course first. I'm not a psych student so I can't comment on these courses specifically, I'm afraid. Ideally it would be better to do your level 1 stuff first and then you'll be well prepared to move up to level 2, but if your study skills are pretty good/relatively recent and you have the time and sufficient motivation, then you'd probably be fine with level 2 in the first year.
Are you planning to study more than 60 points a year?