Early Years Education
There are many levels of study available depending on whether you're just starting out or are currently working in an early years or childcare setting and want to increase your skillset. Looking to become a teacher? See our PGDE courses
So you want a career in Education? Great choice! Did you know...
- Investment in free Early Learning and Childcare places is worth over £700m to help meet demand
- There are an increasingly wide and numerous range of opportunities in Education and our courses will help you whether you are starting out or progressing your career
- You’ll also have the satisfaction of helping to shape the development of many young people
Access to Care (Health & Early Years) NQ Level 5
This course offers foundational knowledge in Childcare and Health & Social Care, leading to careers in Nursing, Care Practitioner, Social Work or Teaching, among others. It’s scheduled conveniently for parents to fit around Nursery/School hours and is also suitable for school leavers or those seeking a career change.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Childhood Practice NC Level 6
If you want to work with children and young people, this course will give you a broad understanding of all aspects of child development.
It is an excellent course to allow you to explore the many different specialities and career paths open to you in this sector.
This NC will help you gain entry to Higher Education courses, degrees and teacher training.
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.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Childhood Practice HNC
If you enjoy working with children and would like to make a difference to their formative years, then the HNC Childhood Practice is the ideal course for you. This nationally recognised qualification and valued award will prepare you for work in a variety of early learning and childcare settings, supporting children and young people with varying needs.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Both available
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 6
This is a work-based learning qualification so to be able to study it you must be working in a suitable childcare or education-based organisation.
Get the skills and knowledge required to work with children and young people 0–21 years in a variety of settings in a supervisory capacity. You will gain an internationally recognised qualification which guarantees that you have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out your role successfully.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7
This is a work-based learning qualification so to be able to study it you must be working in a suitable childcare or education-based organisation.
Get the skills and knowledge required to work with children and young people 0–21 years in a variety of settings in a supervisory capacity. You will gain an internationally recognised qualification which guarantees that you have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out your role successfully.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF level 9
Required qualification for managers of care settings as a second qualification for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council, or for managers who do not already possess a health and social care qualification. This includes care settings such as care homes, residential care or care at home services for children and young people.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship) BA
This course is the first Graduate Apprenticeship in Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland and is unique in its structure and delivery. The programme offers you and your employer a work-based learning route that is mutually beneficial: your employer benefits from your growing competency and skillset, and you 'earn while you learn', gaining experience in your industry and increasing your potential to progress in your career, while achieving your degree.
This course is ideal for those new to the sector wishing to gain practitioner registration requirements or those currently in the sector wishing to enhance their practitioner skills and knowledge.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Child and Youth Studies BA (Hons)
This leading BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies degree will give you a rigorous understanding of the specific concerns associated with child and youth issues in this region and within the broader context of the UK and Europe.
The course is taught entirely online via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) and you will be supported locally by your personal academic tutor face-to-face, via email, telephone and online, which means that you can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time or Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Childhood Practice BA (Hons)
This fully-online honours degree offers practitioners in a wide range of childhood practice settings the opportunity to gain the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recognised qualification to be a lead practitioner.
You will have the opportunity to relate theory to real working practice and investigate, in-depth, an area of interest to you.
The course is designed to meet the Scottish subject benchmark statement, the Standard for Childhood Practice.
On successful completion of the course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge to move on to a lead practitioner role. Similarly, you will be well equipped to take further professional qualifications or a PGDE.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time (structured or unstructured)
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page