Course overview
If you want to pursue a career working with children and young people, this course willdevelop yourunderstanding,skills,and existing strengthsthat would support acareerinearly learningand childcare.This course aims to effectively prepare you for further studyor employment.
The NC in Early Education andChildcare can help yougain entry to HigherNational Certificate (HNC) coursesorcan lead to a variety of career pathways within the sector.
A focus of the course is the substantial work placement element thatprovidesanessentiallink to the learning units within the qualification as well asan opportunityto developessentialemployability skillsand enhance opportunities for career prospects.
Course description
This course is delivered in a holistic way using our immersive learningenvironment toensure studentscandevelopconfidence andrelevant sectorskillsinavirtual nurseryprior to placement.
The course aims to give you:
- An understanding of the responsibilities of working within the Early Years sector andvaluable opportunities to develop skills ineducatingand caring forchildren and young people.
- Theoretical and underpinning knowledge that drive practices in allearlylearningand childcaresettings. This will include child development and wellbeing and the factors that can influence these outcomes. You will learn about the importance of play in earlylearningandwill alsoacquirepractical skills ofplanning,implementingand reviewing quality play experiences for a range of different ages.
- Positive attitude to learningincluding working with other students.
- Flexible approaches to solving problems and developing meta skills.
- Developing skills and resilience to be independent in your learning.
- Buildconfidence to set goals,reflectand learn from experience.
Entry requirements
For entry to thiscourse,you willneed:
- Aninterest in working in theEarlyLearning and Childcaresector.
- Threerelevant National 5s orequivalent (such asIntermediate 2;Standard Grade Credit Leveletc.)OR a relevant course at SCQF Level 5.
- Answer the Supporting Information Questions on the application form, with as much detail as possible. This willdemonstrateyour commitment to the course.
- You need to be 16 years or above by the end of September 2026.
- For progressingstudents,successful completion of thepreviouscourse and a positive progressing learner reference.
Applications are encouraged from mature students who do notpossessformal qualifications but haveappropriate understandingand skills to meet the academic demands of the course.
A satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check is alsorequiredto enable participation in placement.
Learning outcome
Exit to employment to start your career in the sector as a Support Worker in a range of early learning and childcare settings.Clickherefor details.
After achievingyourNCqualification,possible careersinclude:
- A breadth of Early Years Practitioner roles (age range 0-16)
- Diverse roles working with children and families across the sector, including ASN support roles.
- Progression to HNC Early Education and Childcare which can lead to a variety of careers in early years,teaching,and social work.
Progression
Successful completion of the course will enable you to have the choice of:
- Progressing onto anHNCcourse such as HNC Childhood Practice; HNC Social Services
- Exit to employment to start your career in the sector as a Support Worker in a range of early learning and childcare settings.
Course options
Course Type: Full-time
Details
Venue details
Stranraer Campus
Lewis Street
Stranraer