Childhood Practice NC (SCQF 6)

Course overview

The National Certificate (NC) Childhood Practice course is the recognised qualification for a Support worker, working with children and young people.

It provides a comprehensive course on a range of topics, both theory and work practice-related, that will aid you in developing and enhancing the knowledge, skills, values and competencies for those wishing to work with, or already working with, children and young people in a childhood practice setting. Learning will be engaging and interactive, with a wide variety of activities and approaches.

Completing this course will give you an opportunity to progress to HNC Childhood Practice or employment at the Support worker level within a childhood practice setting.

Applicants should have qualifications at SCQF Level 5 (including English) or above or be progressing from our Childhood Practice Level 5 course or School College Partnership National 5 course.

Students studying this course are required to have an acceptable Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) disclosure check. (This will be completed by Edinburgh College once a place on the course is confirmed.)

To help prepare you for your course and share further information, we have created an NC online notice board. This will be regularly updated until the course starts in August.

What you will learn

You will be awarded the SQA NC Certificate in Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 6.

Units include:

• Planning for Practice
• Planning for Practice: workplace experience
• Providing an Inclusive Curriculum in a Childhood Practice Setting
• Protecting and Promoting the Rights of the Child
• Sociology of Childhood
• Child Development
• Child Development: Theory
• Services for Children and Young People
• Supporting children with ASN
• Communication

Placement information

• You will gain valuable experience from a mandatory workplace that will be achieved in a childcare setting, a nursery, playgroup, out-of-school care or school (Primary 1 to 3).
• Your placement will be arranged by Edinburgh College via our Placement Coordinator who has an extensive network of employers committed to hosting placements to increase career opportunities and jobs through the growth of skills and knowledge within the Childhood Practice sector.
• When you have been made an offer of a place, you will receive an online Form to complete that will help us match your needs to our placement settings.
• Placement is rewarding but can be demanding. Attendance is mandatory to get the professional practice you need to complete and pass the course.
• Between October 2025 and May 2026, you need to commit to attending a minimum of 34 placement days which are arranged with a starting block of three days to get to know your setting followed by one day per week interwoven with three further blocks of three days in December, January and March.
• Students studying these courses are required to have a clear and acceptable PVG Disclosure check. (Completed and paid for by Edinburgh College)
• If you want to apply for this course, please consider The PVG Disclosure scheme. This scheme helps to protect children and adults within our sector therefore, we require a clear PVG to enable you to proceed with an application for this course.  If you have any questions regarding this, please get in contact to discuss. 
• Our placements are arranged primarily within Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.  Setting requests outwith these areas can't be guaranteed. 

How the course is assessed

• You will be continually assessed through a range of assessments in College, including implementing play experiences and undertaking observations of children during your work placement experience.

Number of days per week

• Twelve hours of class contact per week (two days)
• One full day at work placement (three days in total)
• Monday and Wednesday in college, Tuesday on placement.
• We recommend at least an additional four hours per week of self-study

Entry requirements

• A minimum of three National 5 qualifications at SCQF Level 5 or above (or equivalent). These must include English or Communication.
• Progression from a suitable Edinburgh College course at National 5 (eg. Childhood Practice Level 5, SCP Early Learning and Childcare Level 5)
• You should hold qualifications or have experience that demonstrates your ability in basic research,  report writing and writing extended compositions. 
• You must be 16 or over by the start of October 2025 to apply for an adult PVG, attend placement and meet work-placement requirements.
• Ideally, you should have some experience working with children – please detail this experience in your personal statement 
• If you do not meet the formal entry requirements but are a mature applicant with significant experience working with children you are welcome to apply and we will assess this on an individual basis. Please detail this experience in your personal statement 

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is an important part of your application and it can help us to decide if you are suitable for the course.

To make sure that you are giving us all the information we need to consider your application fully, please include the following:

• Your reasons for applying for this course. Why does it interest you? Why are you suitable for this course?
• Details of any relevant qualifications that you have to meet the course entry requirements
• Information about any courses or training you have done that are relevant – this can include certificated training such as First Aid or CPD courses
• Details of any work experience (paid or voluntary) that is relevant to the course
• Your future career plans – how will this course help you to reach your goals?
• You should check that the statement is written clearly, and using appropriate language.
• It is a good idea to ask someone to proof-read the statement before sending it
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
• We will arrange an individual induction meeting (online or on campus) to discuss the course and placement requirements and answer any questions you may have. 

English Proficiency Requirements

To enable our students the best opportunity of achieving this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an existing English language certificate at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent. Alternatively, additional language applicants 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. 

Progression and Articulation Routes

• HNC Childhood Practice (SCQF Level 7), Part-time or Full-time, SVQ Level 3 SSCYP
• This qualification support registration with SSSC at the Support Worker level.
• Help with Register parts, fees and qualifications | Scottish Social Services Council

• Suitability for progression onto further study will be determined by achievement, a good attendance record and conduct.

Career options

• This qualification allows you to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a Support worker
• This will enable you to work in a variety of settings including a private nursery, out-of-school care, playgroup, crèche and school
• Early Learning and Childcare is recognised as one of the main growth areas for employment in Scotland currently and in the future.
• Further information on careers in Childcare can be found on the Childcare Careers Scotland website and Early Learning and Childcare website.