Childcare and SVQ Provision
Childhood Practice Access to HNC and SVQ 3 (January)
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 6
Study mode Evening
Start date
Jan 2027
Course enquiry form
Course overview
Application Update
Applications for the August 2026 intake are now closed.
Part-time January '27 applications open in November; please apply by following the 'apply' button on this page. It will only be visible once the course is open for applications.
Any questions, please contact Angie Thomson at angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
The January 2027 intake is for one Level 6 unit. You must successfully complete two Level 6 units before you can progress to the HNC or SVQ Level 3 programme starting in August 2027.
Angie will be happy to discuss the available options and progression routes with you.
Our Access to HNC Childhood Practice course is designed specifically for career changers or those returning to education who are interested in further study and a career working with children and young people.
We will work towards one SCQF Level 6 unit from the NC Early Education and Childcare Group Award - Play in Early Education and Childcare (DM4112).
The course is an ideal introduction to study and supports progression to our full-time and part-time HNC Childhood Practice courses. It will be a blended delivery of online classes and on-campus sessions at our Sighthill campus on Thursday evenings from 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM.
Our interactive and engaging evening classes offer the opportunity to learn more about working with children and to achieve one accredited SQA childcare unit at SCQF Level 6 (equivalent level to a Higher). Alongside the unit content, the course is also a broad introduction to working in the childhood practice sector, including the regulatory and registration requirements.
To support your application for the course, please include a detailed Personal statement so we can determine if this is the best option for you, places are limited and will be allocated based on Personal statement.
The course will cost £129.
What you will learnFrom January to June, we will study Play.
This includes looking at:
- The importance of play and how it supports development
- Supporting different play types
- Creating play spaces
Placement information
- There is no workplace placement on this course.
How the course is assessed
- The course will be assessed by a closed-book, end-of-unit assessment.
Number of days per week
- One evening a week for 18 weeks, term-time only, 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM
- We will use a blended approach with online sessions delivered on Microsoft Teams and one session per month in person at the Sighthill campus
Entry requirements
- There are no entry requirements for this course as it is designed as an entry point to further study in Childhood Practice.
- Applicants will ideally have some experience working or volunteering with children or young people.
- The unit studied is at SCQF Level 6, which is the equivalent of a Higher.
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
- Applicants will be invited to an online information and question-and-answer session.
- Course selection will be based on your Personal Statement (Please see Padlet for guidance on writing a Personal Statement).
English Proficiency Requirements
To give our students the best opportunity to succeed in this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an English language certificate at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants from non-English-speaking countries will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at College. There will be a cost of £20 for this test unless you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Disability Benefit or Income Support or if you are an asylum seeker or refugee. English proficiency at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent is a course requirement. To progress to HNC, the requirement is an IELTS score of 6 or equivalent. If you would like more information on this, please contact Angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.ukProgression and Articulation Routes
- This course has been designed to support progression to part-time or full-time HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7 and SVQ Level 3 (SSCYP)
- To progress to an HNC or SVQ 3, relevant experience is strongly recommended.
- It will also support progression to an SCQF Level 6 Childhood Practice course such as NC Early Education and Childcare or PDA Education Support Assistance.
- The lecturer will work with students to identify the most suitable progression route.
Career options
- The unit studied is part of the NC Early Education and Childcare Group Award that is eligible for registration at the Support Worker level with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Evening | 21/01/27 | 07/06/27 |
