Childhood Practice NC (SCQF Level 6)

Course overview

The National Certificate (NC) Childhood Practice course is the recognised qualification for a Support worker, working with children and young people. The NC qualification allows you to register with the Scottish Social Services Council at the Support Worker level.

The NC course provides a comprehensive range of topics, both theoretical 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 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 childcare 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.

If you would like to apply for this course, please consider the PVG scheme (completed by Edinburgh College once your place on the course is confirmed). This scheme helps protect children and adults within our sector; we require a clear PVG to enable you to proceed with an application for this course.  If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss further. 

If you have any questions about this course, please get in touch with duncan.munro@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

What you will learn

Students who successfully achieve this course will be awarded the Qualifications Scotland National Certificate (NC) in Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 6 (GV2M 46).

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

Throughout the course, there will be some self-study elements.

Before starting your placement in October, you’ll spend part of your week working independently on tasks online.

Ask yourself:

• Is this something I feel confident and comfortable doing?
• Am I self-motivated and ready to take responsibility for my learning?
• Do I have access to a suitable study space, a digital learning device, and the internet? (this could be on-campus)
• Am I willing to join online sessions with my camera on and engage in them?

Placement information

• You will gain valuable experience in a mandatory 2 days-per-week workplace in a childcare setting, nursery, playgroup, out-of-school care, or school (Primary 1 or 2). We also arrange four  'block placement weeks' that involve attending placement for your full college week.
• Edinburgh College will arrange your placement through our Placement Coordinator, who has an extensive network of employers committed to hosting placements to increase career opportunities and jobs by developing skills and knowledge within the Childhood Practice sector.
• When you have been offered 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 complete the professional practice and pass the course.
• Attendance is mandatory to complete the professional practice required to pass the course, between October 2025 and May 2026. The first block consists of four days to familiarise yourself with your setting, followed by two days per week, and three further blocks of four days in December, January, and March.
• A satisfactory Disclosure and Protection Scotland PVG clearance, arranged and paid for by Edinburgh College, is compulsory before starting placement.
• Our placements are arranged within Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.  If you are requesting a placement outside of these regions, it will be the student's responsibility to source the placement.

How the course is assessed

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

Number of days per week

• Two days per week in college.
• Two days per week at a work placement.
• Monday and Tuesday on placement, Wednesday and Thursday in college classes.
• 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 must be 16 or over by the start of October 2026 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 can help us decide whether 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 uses appropriate language.
• It is a good idea to ask someone to proofread the statement before sending it

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• As part of the recruitment process, we will have a short individual meeting. During this time, we’ll discuss the course content, your motivation and enthusiasm for working with children, your experience, and any support you might need.
• It’s also the perfect time to ask questions and make sure you feel confident and excited about committing to the course. 

When applying for the course, it’s important to reflect on whether you are ready to study and work in a Childcare Practice setting.

Ask yourself: 

• Can I thrive in a busy, active, and sometimes noisy environment? 
• Am I flexible and able to adapt to changing needs and circumstances? 
• Do I have strong communication skills to work effectively with both adults and children? 
• Can I use my initiative to solve problems and respond appropriately? 
• Am I able to commit 6 hours per week (adjust per course) in addition to attending all college classes and placement, to complete assessments and classwork? 

Taking time to consider these questions will help you feel confident that this course is the right fit for you. 

English Proficiency Requirements

To give our students the best opportunity to succeed in this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language must have 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. 

Progression and Articulation Routes

• HNC Childhood Practice (SCQF Level 7), Part-time or Full-time, SVQ Level 3 SSCYP
• This qualification supports registration with SSSC at the Support Worker level.
• Help with Register parts, fees and qualifications | Scottish Social Services Council
• Achievement, a good attendance record and conduct will determine suitability for progression onto further study.

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 private nurseries, out-of-school care, playgroups, crèches, and schools.
• Early Learning and Childcare is recognised as one of the main employment growth areas in Scotland, both currently and in the future.
• Further information on careers in Childcare can be found on the Childcare Careers Scotland and Early Learning and Childcare websites.
• SDS publish a report predicting demand for jobs and employability needs: Sectoral Skills Assessment Childcare 2025