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HNC: Childhood Practice

This course will provide you with a rich understanding of working with children and young people, and will help you to integrate knowledge and theory into practice, including the importance of the National Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice. This course will teach the importance of play to children's development, leadership skills, a thorough understanding of child development theories, strategies to support children with additional support needs, how to understand and support children's behaviour, contemporary family issues, collaborative working and the importance of health, wellbeing and safeguarding. You will participate in a minimum SQA Mandatory requirement of 60 days of practice-based experience in an Early Learning and Childcare Setting where you will also undertake 3 SVQ (Vocational Qualification) units. Placements can be physically demanding and fitness to practice will be discussed before any placement commences. From this course, you can apply for registration as a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) professional and go into employment within nurseries, playgroups, after school clubs and other play schemes. This course is perfect for those who are progressing on from our NC Early Education and Childcare course.

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Level:

SCQF Level 7

Duration:

  • Full-time study is one academic year and days of study are different depending on campus.
  • Online delivery with minimal campus attendance but must be able to attend the 60 days minimum work placement experience, equivalent to 2 days per week for certification of the HNC.
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Who is this course for?

This course if for those wishing to practice within the childhood studies area. Successful completion will allow you to register as a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) professional and go into employment within nurseries, playgroups, after school clubs and other play schemes.

What skills will I learn?

  • Teamwork
  • Leadership skills
  • Good communication
  • Confidence
  • Adaptability
  • Self-awareness
  • Reflective practice
  • Resilience

What will I study?

  • This course is perfect for those already working in Early Learning and Childcare and looking to develop knowledge and skills for registration with the SSSC or for those progressing from our NC Early Education and Childcare course.
  • The successful completion of this HNC Group Award will allow you to work with children and young people aged between 0 and 18 years and or progress to higher level of study including our various degree programmes.
  • This course will teach a wide range of topics including leadership skills, child development, childcare theory, health and wellbeing, care in contemporary society along with the theoretical and practical understanding of the benefits of play. You will also learn about the values, principles and laws relevant to a career in the early years sector.
  • You will participate in a minimum requirement of 60 days of practical experience where you will also undertake 3 SVQ (Vocational Qualification) units.

Application Information

What further study options are available?

  • HND: Childhood Practice SCQF Level 8
  • HND: Additional Support Needs: Managing and Supporting the Services SCQF Level 8
  • BA: Learning Difficulties/Disabilities SCQF Level 9
  • BA: Childhood Practice Level 9
  • BA: Primary Education Level 9
  • It is possible to progress on to a degree at university from this course - see our HE and Degree Pathways guide for more information

What career opportunities are there?

  • The HNC Childhood Practice is a recognised qualification for registration with the SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council – mandatory regulatory body for all regulated care work).
  • There are many careers available including working as a Practitioner (Early Years Officer) in early years settings /day care services (like nurseries), out of school care (like after school and holiday clubs), classroom assistants, childminding and residential schools which provide additional support for learning.

Related courses

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Childhood Practice BA

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. 

HND Childhood Practice

This qualification is suitable for you if you hold a Practitioner qualification as specified by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) such as HNC Childhood Practice or SVQ Social Services: Children & Young People at SCQF Level 7 and have achieved 120 SCQF credits. In addition, part-time learners should be working in, or have access to a placement in the Early Learning and Care sector. Due to the diversity of roles within the sector learners may not be working directly with children but may be in a coordinating role.