Edinburgh College Banner

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Higher Childcare and Development (SCP)

Campus Sighthill Campus

Qualification SCQF Level 6

Study mode Part time

Duration 43 weeks

Start date Aug 2024

Course enquiry form

Note your interest for this course.
Enter your full name
Enter your email address
This form collects your name and email address so we can contact you with pre-application information on future courses including application deadlines, campus open days and course information. Read our privacy notice to find out how we collect, store and use your data (and for information on withdrawing your consent).

Course overview

This course is specifically for S5 and S6 school pupils only, while still at school.

The course is designed to support students who have an interest in working in childcare settings or would like to pursue a career in primary school settings. The delivery of the course, will be carried out in a practical, interactive and engaging teaching style throughout the course.

The course is offered through our School College Partnership (SCP) programme at the Sighthill campus.

The course includes the following topics:

Child development

You will investigate child development from pre-birth to 16, develop an understanding of the holistic needs of children and young people and explore how these needs interrelate. You will evaluate methods for assessing the development of children and have the opportunity to identify and analyse factors that influence child development.

Child development: theory

You will develop an understanding of theories of development and analyse these in relation to how they support working with children and young people.

Services for children and young people

You will explore current services and the role of professionals and others working in partnership to support the development of children and young people. You will also develop an understanding of the ways in which legislation, initiatives and strategies influence professional working relationships and current practice.

On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded an SQA Higher in Childcare and Development.

What you will learn

The main aim of the course is to enable you to:

  • Understand child development and the factors that influence it from pre-birth to 16
  • Understand theories of development and the way these are applied to working with children and young people
  • Develop an awareness of initiatives and/or strategies used to inform current childhood practice
  • Develop an awareness of current services for children and young people
  • Understand the role and responsibilities of professionals and others in contributing to the development of children and young people
  • Develop skills in investigating, analysing, evaluating and presenting information

How the course is assessed

  • The course will be assessed through both a project-based internal assessment and an external SQA exam

Number of days per week

  • The course will be on a Tuesday and Thursday between 1:30 and 4:00 pm
  • The course will be based in college at the Edinbugh College Sighthill campus

Entry requirements

  • Applicants must be attending secondary school
  • Applicants must have either achieved or be working towards Higher English
  • Applicants should be committed to completing the course and the full 23/24 session at school
  • Selection will be based on entry requirements and the applicant's personal statement which should be submitted as part of the application process

Writing a 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 proofread the statement before sending it.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants must have either achieved or be working towards Higher English in 23/24

Progression and Articulation Routes

  • HNC Childhood Practice Practitioner or primary school teacher focus. SCQF level 7
  • PDA Education Support Assistance (classroom assistant course) SCQF level 6 or related subjects at SCQF level 6, such as Higher Care course or further study, employment and/or training
  • If you have Higher English and National 5 maths you may wish to pursue a career as a primary school teacher at a university

Career options

  • You could potentially with further study become a childcare Practitioner working in an early education and childcare setting
  • An education support assistant (classroom assistant in a primary, secondary or special school) 
  • Train to become a primary or secondary teacher

Study Options

Campus Study mode Start date Duration
Sighthill Campus Part time 20/08/24 43 Weeks

You may also be interested in these courses

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Award in Forest Kindergarten (April 2024)

The SQA-certificated Forest Kindergarten course has been put together to specifically meet the needs of practitioners wh...

Read more and apply

Campus
Granton Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Part time

Duration
2 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Access to Working with Children with Additional Support Needs (SCQF 5)

This brand new course delivered at our Sighthill campus, has been specially designed as a fast-track course that will su...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 5

Study mode
Full time

Duration
20 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Childhood Practice Level 5 (SCQF 5)

The Childhood Practice Level 5 is an engaging and interactive course designed to prepare students for working with child...

Read more and apply

Campus
Granton Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 5

Study mode
Full time

Duration
42 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Childhood Practice with ESOL Level 5 (SCQF 5)

This SCQF Level 5 course is ideal for you if you are interested in a career working with children and young people and i...

Read more and apply

Campus
Granton Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 5

Study mode
Full time

Duration
42 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

Education Support Assistance PDA (for Classroom Assistants) (SCQF 6)

This SCQF Level 6 course is designed for people who would like to work as a classroom assistant/education support assist...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 6

Study mode
Full time

Duration
42 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

HNC Childhood Practice (Practitioner Focus)

The HNC Childhood Practice (Practitioner Focus) is for applicants interested in a career in the early education, childca...

Read more and apply

Campus
Granton Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Duration
42 weeks

Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision

HNC Childhood Practice (Primary Teaching Focus)

The HNC Childhood Practice (Primary Teaching Focus) is for applicants interested in progressing to further study on an i...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Duration
42 weeks