- HW1HNPTA25

Course overview

The next intake for this course is August 2026. If you would like more information or would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

The HNC Childhood Practice (Primary Teaching Focus) is for applicants interested in progressing to further study on an initial primary education degree at university. Successful completion can also enable you to pursue a career in the early education, childcare or playwork sectors or to study at higher levels in Childhood Practice or Childhood Studies. The Scottish Social Services Council accepts this qualification for registration as a practitioner in the childcare service for children.

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

You will gain a thorough knowledge of working within the national curriculum for children aged 3-18 years, Curriculum for Excellence, and become adept at using this to create learning opportunities and experiences for children.

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

This course will focus on working in primary education and examine the broader perspective of supporting children's play, learning and development in a range of childhood practice settings.

This course will teach the importance of play in children's development, leadership skills, a thorough understanding of child development theories, strategies to support children with additional needs, how to understand and support children's behaviour, contemporary family issues, collaborative working, and the importance of health, wellbeing, and safeguarding.

Take your next step towards changing your life and the lives of children.  

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, please contact us to discuss. 

Upon meeting the entry requirements, we will contact you to share the dates of our Information Sessions and Open Days. We will also 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. 

What you will learn

During the course, you will learn the values, skills, and knowledge necessary 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 childcare 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.
• Have an individual and child-centred focus in your practice.
• Learning how to ensure inclusion in everyday work practice.
• Critically evaluate your practice and be a reflective practitioner.
• Developing a good working knowledge of current legislation, policy and guidance.
• We promote active learning, and you will participate in activities both in and out of the classroom.

In addition -

• You will build knowledge of evaluation tools, such as 'How Good Is Our School', to help you reflect, respond, and develop your practice within the school.
• You will become familiar with the role of HMIE (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education).
• Within the teaching and assessments, the age range will focus on primary-aged children.

To help prepare you for your course and share additional information, we have created an HNC online noticeboard. This will be regularly updated until the course starts in August.

Placement information

The next intake for this course is August 2026. If you would like more information or would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

The HNC Childhood Practice (Primary Teaching Focus) is for applicants interested in progressing to further study on an initial primary education degree at university. Successful completion can also enable you to pursue a career in the early education, childcare or playwork sectors or to study at higher levels in Childhood Practice or Childhood Studies. The Scottish Social Services Council accepts this qualification for registration as a practitioner in the childcare service for children.

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

You will gain a thorough knowledge of working within the national curriculum for children aged 3-18 years, Curriculum for Excellence, and become adept at using this to create learning opportunities and experiences for children.

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

This course will focus on working in primary education and examine the broader perspective of supporting children's play, learning and development in a range of childhood practice settings.

This course will teach the importance of play in children's development, leadership skills, a thorough understanding of child development theories, strategies to support children with additional needs, how to understand and support children's behaviour, contemporary family issues, collaborative working, and the importance of health, wellbeing, and safeguarding.

Take your next step towards changing your life and the lives of children.  

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, please contact us to discuss. 

Upon meeting the entry requirements, we will contact you to share the dates of our Information Sessions and Open Days. We will also 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.