HNC Childhood Practice (Evening)

Course overview

The part-time evening HNC Childhood Practice is for applicants interested in a career in the early education, childcare or playwork sectors or for those wishing to pursue further study for example, within Childhood Practice or Primary Education. This qualification is accepted by the Scottish Social Services Council for registration as a practitioner in the daycare of children service.

This is a nationally recognised qualification and valued award for people who want to work in various settings, supporting children and young people with varying needs.

This course will give you a deep understanding of working with children and young people and will help you to integrate knowledge and theory into practice, including the importance of the Health and Social Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice.

From this course, you can apply for registration as a practitioner with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and go into employment within childhood practice settings such as nurseries, playgroups, after-school clubs and a practitioner in a Primary School.

The course runs over 2 years and fees will be payable at the start of each year. The fee is £866 each year, it's possible to use the SAAS Part-time fee grant towards the fees if you meet the eligibility criteria. Part-time Funding Guide - SAAS

Classes are one evening per week, and students who are not currently working in a childhood practice setting will be required to do one session per week on placement throughout the 2-year course. In addition, you should expect to spend around 3-4 hours per week on reading, research and assessments for the course.

Additional information is available on our Part Time HNC Padlet

What you will learn

During the course, students will learn values, skills and knowledge to enable them to support children and young people. This will include:

• Developing an understanding of the values and principles that underpin work in childhood practice settings
• Understanding how the Health and Social Care Standards and SSSC Codes of Practice inform working practices in the childhood practice sector
• Developing an understanding of the variety of childhood practice settings in the sector
• Developing skills appropriate for working with and supporting a wide range of individuals in childhood practice settings
• Learning how to ensure inclusion in everyday work practice
• Critically evaluating practice and being a reflective practitioner
• Developing a good working knowledge of current legislation, policy and guidance

HNC Part-Time Year 1

• H5LC04- Promote Effective Communication
• H5LD04- Promote Health, Safety and Security in the Work Setting
• H5LE04- Develop Your Practice Through Reflection and Learning
• H8WM34- Lifespan Development Theoretical Approaches
• H8KC 34- Leadership Starts with Me
• H98Y34 -Supporting Children and Young People’s Behaviour
• H99034- Supporting Children and Young People with Additional Support Needs

HNC Part-time Year 2

• H8MM34- Health Wellbeing and Safeguarding
• H8MN34- Care in Contemporary Society

Students then pick one of the options below:

Option 1

Best suited for those working with children 0-5 years

• H9PM 34- Working with Children 3–6 (environments, theory and adult role)
• H9PR34- Childhood Practice: Graded Unit 1
• H98X34- Support for Play, Learning and Development- (provision and frameworks supporting PLD)

Option 2

Best suited for those interested in working with children in the older age range (primary schools/ afterschool clubs etc.)

• H98X34- Support for Play, Learning and Development- (provision and frameworks supporting PLD)
• H9PN 34-Working with Children 6–8 Years (environments, theory and adult role)
• H9PR34- Childhood Practice: Graded Unit 1

Placement information

This course has a mandatory work placement 

• There are specific units of study in this course which must be achieved in the workplace 
• You will be required to be on placement in a childcare setting for one session per week throughout your course if you are not currently employed in a childhood practice setting

How the course is assessed

• You will be continually assessed through a combination of project work, essays, practical sessions and presentations. 

Number of days per week

• Midlothian campus- Tuesday evenings 6-8.30 pm
• Sighthill campus- Thursday evenings 6-8.30 pm

HNC part-time is offered following a blended model of delivery- 3 weeks online and 1 week on campus. There is an option to join the in-campus sessions online too. 

Entry requirements

• A minimum of two Highers at C pass or above, one of which should be English  
• Or pass 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 pass in a different relevant subject at SCQF 6 (eg Social Sciences)  
• If you do not have the formal entry requirements but you have significant experience working with children you may also be considered if spaces remain: please detail this in your personal statement 
• Applicants should have some experience working in early learning or childcare settings in either a paid or voluntary role. 
• You should upload copies of your qualifications to demonstrate that you meet the entry requirements.

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’s a good idea to ask someone to proofread the statement before sending it.

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

On meeting the entry requirements, we will arrange an individual induction meeting (online or on campus) to discuss the course, placement requirements and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you. 

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 6 or equivalent. Alternatively, additional language applicants will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at College, free of cost. English proficiency at IELTS Level 6 or equivalent is a course entry requirement.  If you would like more information on this please contact Angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Progression and Articulation Routes

• This course is intended to enable registration with the SSSC as a practitioner 
• BA Childhood Practice 
• PDA Childhood Practice Level 8
• To progress to higher qualifications, the experience of working in a childcare setting is essential and for many, there will also be a requirement to be working in a supervisory role 

Career options

From this course, you can apply for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a practitioner and go into employment within nurseries, playgroups, after-school clubs and other play schemes. Working in childhood practice has plenty of opportunities for progression, each day can be different, full of variety and full of adventures.