Childhood Practice HNC (Full-time and Part-time day)

Edinburgh College

The 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 daycare of children service.

This is a nationally recognised qualification and valued award for people who want to work in a variety of 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 National Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice.

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

From this course, you can apply for registration as a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) professional and go into employment within nurseries, playgroups, after school clubs and other play schemes. A career in childhood practice is more than just a job. With plenty of opportunities for progression, each day can be different, full of variety and full of adventures. Take your next step towards changing your life and the lives of children.

During the course the 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 National 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.
• Having an individual and child-centred focus in your practice.
• Learning how to ensure inclusion in everyday work practice.
• Critically evaluating your practice and being a reflective practitioner.
• Developing a good working knowledge of current legislation, policy and guidance.
• We promote active learning and you will take part in activities in and out of the classroom

This course has a mandatory work placement of 60 days throughout the year.