This course offers continuing professional development for those already working with children and young people in a childcare setting. These individual units offer current knowledge and information in the subject areas and are ideal for people who would like to update their existing qualifications or complete additional credits. You will be taught by qualified and experienced lecturers and have individual support from Edinburgh College staff allowing you to progress professionally and academically.
This is a flexible course offering a range of units that you can choose from. Each unit takes around 10 weeks to complete and there will be two intakes in an academic year - September and January. There will be a variety of teaching and learning methods including group work, class discussions, keeping a journal and reflecting on aspects of your work.
Please note the fee for this course is per unit.
The units cover a range of contemporary topics that underpin the work of the childcare professional:
- Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding - Level 7
- Supporting Children with Additional Needs - Level 7
- Leadership starts with me - Level 7
You will be currently working or volunteering on a regular basis in a childcare setting and have the appropriate PVG in place before commencing these units.
- Two Highers (one of which should be English) or pass in a relevant NC at SCQF Level 6 or SVQ Level 2 Children’s Care Learning and Development/Social Services Children and Young People.
- Or a qualification at or above SCQF Level 6 that demonstrates ability in research, essay writing and reports, together with the experience of working with children.
- Applicants without the formal entry requirements but with a significant amount of experience in working with children will also be considered. Please detail this in your personal statement.
- As the units are delivered online, applicants should be confident in using IT to access the course.
- You must be currently working or volunteering in the industry.
English Proficiency Requirements
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IELTS 6.0
How the course is assessed
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Each unit has unique assessment methods which can include report writing, essays, reflections on practice and presentations which allow you to demonstrate your knowledge understanding and work-based practice.
All successful applicants will be sent information from the admission team on payment methods and the course information booklet along with an explanatory email about how to access the course materials and tutor contact information.
Progression And Articulation Routes
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- PDA Childhood Practice Level 9 taught at Edinburgh College
- PDA Childhood Practice at Level 8 taught at Edinburgh College
- BA Childhood Practice
- These units are ideal for people building credits towards study at these levels
- Leadership roles in childcare settings
- Senior practitioners in nurseries
- The units are delivered on an open learning basis using our online learning system.
- Each unit should take approx. 10 weeks to complete.
- Applicants can do one unit at a time and two per year.
- Students can start in September and January.
- Students will receive online support and can contact their tutor by phone or email.
Course Cost And Funding Options
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Fee: £107 Open Learning (year 1)
Student Nicola Brown attended College to take her career in a new direction – swapping hairdressing for a career in childcare. Nicola was the winner of the Childhood Practice Academic Excellence award at the College’s Prize Giving ceremony last month, and we caught up with her to find out about her College journey:
“I am very happy about being recognised at Prize Giving. I have loved meeting so many new people whilst being on this course, and I have made lots of new friends.
A couple months after starting the course I found out I was pregnant and I thought that I would really struggle to complete everything in the course due to taking time off for appointments and working two days as well as being at College. To keep on track, I stuck to a plan and made sure I handed everything in on time and studied regularly. This helped me stay motivated and focused to finish the course before the baby came.
My plan for the future is to take this year off on maternity leave with my new baby and then return next August to complete my HNC in Childcare. My end goal is to become a Childhood Practitioner and work with children.
I would just like to say thank you to my lecturers for their help and support through this course. It means a lot to me and without their positivity and encouragement I don’t know how I would have stayed motivated.”
Open Learning
This course will start week commencing...
Open Learning
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