Childhood Practice Level 6 NC

What is special about this course?

If you want to work with children and young people, this course could be the perfect first step.  

The NC Childhood Practice course will give you a broad understanding of all aspects of child development. It can open doors to a wide range of career prospects and help you to choose the right pathway for you.  

You will spend a day a week in a work placement in a nursery or early years class from October until June, in addition to your 3 classroom days in college. You'll get a truly hands-on learning experience, working with professionals to understand the links between theory and practice.  

Completing this course will help you gain entry to Higher Education courses, degrees and teacher training.    

Entry requirements

• Two National 5s (or equivalent), one of which should be English, or
• Successful completion of our Access to Care ( Health and Early Years) NQ L5

If you don't meet our entry requirements, your previous experience may still qualify you for this course. Mature students will be considered on merit. Please get in touch with us to discuss how suitable this course is for you. 

PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve this qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit this webpage.

Much of your time will be spent on practical aspects of the course such as:

• Gaining hands-on experience in real childcare settings as part of your work placement
• Learning to use crafting equipment and resources for educational purposes
• Understanding and applying health and safety regulations in childcare settings

In the classroom environment you will:

• Explore the social aspects and current affairs related to childcare
• Learn about the legislative frameworks and best practices in childhood education
• Develop your IT skills for educational purposes and online meetings

You'll have the opportunity for personal development too and we'll support you to:

• Improve your ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, and colleagues
• Collaborate effectively with your classmates to work together on group activities
• Build your self-confidence through practical and theory based learning
• Develop empathy and the ability to adapt to various situations in childcare settings 

You will study the following units:

• Child Development 
• Child Development (Theory) 
• Planning for Practice 
• Sociology of Childhood 
• Planning for Practice: Workplace Experience 
• Providing an Inclusive Curriculum in Childhood Practice 
• Supporting the Language, Literacy and Numeracy in Childhood Practice Setting 
• Information and Communication Technology 
• Services for Children and Young People 
• Supporting Children and Young People Who Require Additional Support for Learning 
• Protecting & Promoting the Rights of the Child 
• Understanding Mental Health Issues 
• Elementary Food Hygiene & REHIS 

Fees

For the latest information on fees please see our fees policy.

Funding

Bursary for Living Costs 

If you are 18 years of age or over on the start date of your course, and will be studying full-time you may be eligible for bursary funding, depending on your household income. Our bursary fund is finite and is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so it’s important to make your application for bursary as soon as the application process opens in July. You will need to have accepted our offer before you apply. 

If you are under 18 you may be eligible for EMA. EMA is paid at a rate of £30 per week dependent on your total household income.  

Please see page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide for full details of Bursary and EMA.  

You may also be eligible for assistance with travel and childcare, and we have discretionary funds for those students in need. You can find all the information you need in our funding pages.