Childhood Practice HNC

What is special about this course?

If you enjoy working with children and would like to make a difference to their formative years, the HNC Childhood Practice is the ideal course for you.

This is a nationally recognised qualification and valued award for people who want to work in a variety of early learning and childcare 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 anti-discriminatory practice, in line with the National Care Standards and Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice.

On successful completion you will be eligible to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at practitioner level.

Special features

• You will undertake a 60-day work placement which includes completion of three units from the SVQ 3 Social Services: Children and Young People
• The course meets the registration requirements set by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for those working in a day care or children's services setting
• You can study full-time or part-time (at some campuses) to suit your own personal circumstances
• At certain campuses individual units can be studied as continuous professional development (CPD)

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
• 1 A level at grade D or above 
• These should preferably include English, PLUS
• 4 National 5s or Standard Grades at Credit level, or equivalent, one of which should be English if you do not have a Higher or A level
• Alternatively, the NC Early Education and Childcare/Childhood Practice or equivalent OR the completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship Social Services (Children and Young People)
• Prospective students without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
• Experience in a relevant setting or similar work, either in a voluntary capacity or as an informal carer is essential
• For part-time study at UHI Outer Hebrides, applicants must be employed in a suitable setting. To discuss options or apply for part-time study, please contact leadmissions@uhi.ac.uk

Access routes

• NC Early Education and Childcare or equivalent

Year 1 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

• Care in contemporary society
• Leadership starts with me
• Health wellbeing and safeguarding
• Lifespan development theoretical approaches
• Promote effective communication
• Promote health, safety and security in the work setting
• Develop your practice through reflection and learning
• Support for play learning and development or playwork opportunities
• Graded unit 1

Three options units must be taken which may include some of the following:

• Promoting language, literacy and numeracy
• Collaborative working
• Supporting children and young people’s behaviour
• Supporting children and young people with additional support needs
• Play
• Working with children 0-3
• Working with children 3-5
• Working with children 5-8

Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus.

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.