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BA: Childhood Practice

The BA: Childhood Practice degree programme, delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University, is designed to provide a rigorous, academic area of study, enabling you to develop the necessary skills and understanding to register as a Lead Practitioner or Manager of Childcare Settings with the Scottish Social Services Council. The degree meets the rules and requirements set out in the Standard for Childhood Practice (Revised 2015) and is jointly approved by the Scottish Social Services Council. The BA: Childhood Practice provides a practice-based examination of the theoretical approaches important to leadership and management within childhood practice. Central to the degree programme is an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on education, health and welfare, sociology, psychology, geography, history, children’s rights, law and justice, political and economic science, anthropology, social policy and philosophy. Theory and practice are combined to ensure that you reflect appropriately on your experience and draw upon recent and relevant research to evaluate and drive towards improvement. 

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Level:

SCQF Level 9

Duration:

  • Two years for SCQF level 9
  • Part-time supported online work-based study.
  • The course is delivered virtually with lecturers two evenings a week and is fully online.
  • Any rare on-campus activities would be scheduled for our Dunfermline campus in Fife.
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Who is this course for?

  • As this is a practice-based qualification, you must be currently employed in an Early Learning and Childcare setting, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience prior to undertaking your studies.

What skills will I learn?

  • Teamwork
  • Collaborative skills
  • Time management
  • Leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Confidence
  • Adaptability
  • Resilience

What will I study?

  • Each module, is approximately 50% work based and as such requires and relates to work-related learning carried out in an appropriate, professional environment. 
  • Assessments will rely upon reflection and analysis of this work-based learning.
  • Modules will be delivered online with some weekend workshops/seminars, to support the sharing of practice along with opportunities for focused delivery both by lecturers and early years specialists to support and enhance learning.  You will be offered regular one-to-one contact with your tutors, as well as reflective group work with your fellow students.
  • The online workshop/seminar format will be complemented by key lectures, guest speakers, and self-directed enquiry. You are required to be continuing with their own specific early childhood practice and developing your confidence as a manager/lead practitioner – supported and advised by an appointed mentor as required by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
  • A key component of this course is that it is practice-based . You must be employed within an Early Years setting throughout your studies. 

Some of the units you will study:

  • The Role of Play in Early Years Settings 
  • Management and Leadership of Early Years Settings
  • Achieving Social Justice and the Practical Application of Children's Rights within Early Years Settings
  • Early Childhood Literacy and Numeracy 
  • Supporting Children and Families within Early Years Settings 
  • Research Methods

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate your ability to develop your own practice and confidence as a manager/lead practitioner of Early Years settings, by using theoretical knowledge and concepts as reflective tools. This is achieved by:

  • Curriculum design and content that encourages the integration of theory and practice
  • High quality and regular contact between you and your tutors
  • Integrated study in which you share and reflect on theory and practice in informal ways during class time and formal ways during assignments
  • Assignments that support you in building your interpersonal skills as a leader and manager through a combination of individual and group work.

Application Information

What further study options are available?

  • BA (Hons): Childhood Practice at Fife College.
  • BA (Hons): Childhood Studies at Fife College.

What career opportunities are there?

  • BA Childhood Practice is a Scottish Social Services Council recognised Lead Practitioner or Manager of Childcare Settings qualification.

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Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

To apply for this course you must hold a BA Degree in Childhood Studies The BA (Hons) Childhood Studies degree programme (SCQF Level 10), delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University, is designed to provide a rigorous, academic area of study, enabling you to develop the necessary skills and understanding to progress in your career. You will graduate with the knowledge of the multi-disciplinary nature of working with young children and their families, as well as the importance of quality partnerships with parents and other agencies. Central to the degree programme is an interdisciplinary approach, that is underpinned by engagement with social justice, and a focus on children’s rights, equality, and inclusive working with families and communities. Theory and practice are combined to ensure that you reflect appropriately on your experience and draw upon recent and relevant research to prepare, research, and write your dissertation.