Early Education & Playwork
Courses Available
- NC Early Education & Childcare
NC Early Education & Childcare
This course is designed to provide a mix of practical work with young children in Early Years establishments and provide relevant underpinning knowledge in a variety of childcare related subjects.
Employment Options
The NC Qualification offers limited access to employment as legislation for the sector aims to have a fully qualified workforce in all childcare establishments. However, there may be opportunities within Private Sector Childcare facilities where employment would be in a supporting role to qualified staff members.
Educational Progression Routes
Successful completion of the NC in Early Education will be sufficient entry to progress to the HNC in Early Education, HNC Additional Support Needs or SVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning & Development.
Course Content
Subjects studied include:
- Child Development
- Development Theory
- Play in Early Education
- Work Place Experience
- Communication
- IT
Entry Requirements
- 4 Standard Grades at Credit Level, one of which must be English
- Applicants with relevant experience by interview
Assessment
- Continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments
Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Full-time
SCQF Level
- 5/6
- HNC Early Education & Childcare
HNC Early Education & Childcare
This course is designed to provide practical and theoretical units related to Early Years provision.
Employment Options
Employment with full registration status at practitioner level with Scottish Social Services Council in Early Years settings - both Local Authority and Private Sector.
Educational Progression Routes
- HND Additional Support Needs: Managing and Supporting the Services
- Diploma in Education and Social Services
- BA Childhood Practice
- PDA Childhood Practice
Course Content
- Working in an Early Education & Childcare Setting
- Children & Young Peoples’ Rights, Participation and Provision
- Theoretical Approaches to Development & Learning
- Curriculum & Assessment in Early Education & Childcare
- Contemporary Issues in Early Education & Childcare
- Children & Young People with Additional Support Needs
- Graded Unit
Entry Requirements
- NC Early Education & Childcare
- SVQ Children’s Care, Learning& Development Level 2
- SVQ Playwork Level 2 plus Intermediate 2 Communication or Higher Communication
- Applicants with relevant experience by interview
Assessment
- Continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments
Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Full-time
SCQF Level
- 7
- PDA Education Support Assistant
PDA Education Support Assistant
This is a revised award, replacing the PDA Classroom Assistants and the PDA Support for Learning Assistants.
This course will enable candidates to prepare themselves to undertake roles which support children and young people in an educational setting and provide a platform to those already working in educational support roles for Continuous Professional Development.
Employment Options
This professional development award will allow progress into or to remain in employment, as an Education Support Assistant within nursery, primary and secondary education.
Educational Progression Routes
Candidates may have the opportunity to progress onto Early Education & Childcare or Additional Support Needs courses.
Course Content
- Supporting the Development of Children and Young People from Birth to Eighteen Years
- Supporting Children and Young People in an Educational Setting
- Supporting the Behaviour of Children and Young People
- Supporting Children and Young People who require Additional Support for Learning
- Professional Practice in an Educational Setting
- The Rights and Entitlements of Children and Young People
- Supporting Language, Literacy and Numeracy in an Educational Setting
Entry Requirements
- 4 Standard Grades at Credit Level, one of which must be English
- Applicants with relevant experience by interview
Assessment
- A mix of practical and theoretical assessments
Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Part-time (includes attendance at college and workplace experience in a suitable education establishment)
SCQF Level
- 6
- SVQ Level 2 in Playwork
SVQ Level 2 in Playwork
This course is designed for candidates who are support practitioners working within a playwork setting, with children and young people in After School Clubs, Out of School Care and Play Schemes. Candidates are required to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their competence and understanding of playwork theory and practice.
Employment Options
Candidates will be able to register with the SSSC as a support practitioner and work within a playwork or childcare workplace.
Educational Progression Routes
Candidates will have the opportunity to progress to SVQ Playwork Level 3 or HNC Early Education & Childcare.
Course Content
- Support Playwork Practice for Children & Young People
- Supporting Positive Relationships in the Play Environment
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing of Children & Young People in the Play Environment
- Support the Work of your Team
Entry Requirements
- Should be in employment/volunteering within a playwork setting
- Current role must include providing play for children and young people; supporting health, safety and well-being; safeguarding children and the work of the team
Assessment
- A portfolio of evidence to be compiled by the candidate
Duration
- 9 months with flexible start dates
Attendance
- Part-time
- PaperFree Delivery
SCQF Level
- 6
- SVQ Level 3 in Playwork
SVQ Level 3 in Playwork
This course is designed for candidates who are working within a playwork setting, with children and young people, as a Playwork Practitioner (as outlined in SSSC guidelines). Candidates are required to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their competence and understanding of playwork theories and practice.
Employment Options
Candidates will have the opportunity to register with SSSC as a Practitioner and may work within playwork or childcare settings.
Educational Progression Routes
Candidates may have the opportunity to progress to SVQ Playwork Level 4.
Course Content
- Provide a Child Centred Play Space
- Promote the Development of Children & Young People Through Play
- Promote Positive Relationships in the Play Setting
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing of Children & Young People in the Play Environment
- Working with Colleagues
- Safeguarding Children
- Reflect & Develop Practice
Entry Requirements
- Must be in employment/volunteering within a Playwork setting
- Must be working at playwork practitioner level with responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating playwork practice
Assessment
- A portfolio of evidence to be compiled by the candidate
Duration
- 12 months with flexible start dates
Attendance
- Part-time
- PaperFree Delivery
SCQF Level
- 7
- SVQ Level 4 in Playwork
SVQ Level 4 in Playwork
This course is designed for candidates who are working as managers or lead playwork practitioners with children and young people. Candidates must demonstrate their competence to manage a playwork setting, to implement and develop playwork theories and practice and to support staff and colleagues.
Employment Options
This qualification will allow candidates to prove occupational competency and develop their professional development towards the Benchmark Standards for Childhood Practice and registration with the SSSC as lead practitioner/manager.
Educational Progression Routes
On completion of SVQ Level 4 in Playwork, candidates will have the opportunity to progress on to the PDA Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 9.
Course Content
- Reflect On & Develop Practice
- Leadership & Management Skills & Practice
- Manage & Develop Play Facilities & Services
- Implement Contemporary Frameworks in a Play Context
- Research, Design & Facilitate Possibilities for Self-Directed Play
- Operational Planning
Entry Requirements
- Must be managing a playwork setting
- Must be working at SSSC Manager/Lead Practitioner level with responsibility for managing, implementing and evaluating playwork practice
Assessment
- A portfolio of evidence to be compiled by the candidate
- On-site Assessment
Duration
- Minimum of 12 months with flexible start dates
Attendance
- Part-time
- PaperFree Delivery
SCQF Level
- 8/9/10
- HNC Additional Support Needs: Supporting the Individual
HNC Additional Support Needs: Supporting the Individual
This course is designed to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to become effective professionals in the area of learning support.
Employment Options
Career prospects in supporting children or adults in education or adults in training environments.
Educational Progression Routes
- HND Additional Support Needs: Managing and Supporting the Services
- Diploma in Education & Social Services
Course Content
- Principles of Practice
- Theoretical Approaches to Learning
- The Effects on Human Development
- Graded Unit
- Learning Approaches
- Practical placement with children or adults who have additional support needs
Entry Requirements
- 2 SQA Higher Grade passes, preferably including English or Communication 4
- 12 relevant SQA Units
- SVQ Care Level 2 or 3
- PDA Education Support Assistant
- Applicants with relevant experience by interview Assessment
- Continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments
- Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Full-time
SCQF Level
- 7
- HND Additional Support Needs: Managing & Supporting the Services
HND Additional Support Needs: Managing & Supporting the Services
This course is designed to provide a specialist qualification for students wishing to work with children or adults who have support needs with an emphasis on learning support. The course develops the underpinning theoretical knowledge and understanding gained in the HNC and provides practical experience.
Employment Options
Enhanced career prospects in supporting children or adults in additional support needs contexts.
Educational Progression Routes
Upon completion of this course, you can apply for:
- BA Learning Difficulties (Year 3) - Adam Smith College
- BEd (Hons) Primary Education (Year 2) - University of Glasgow
- BEd (Hons) Primary Education (Year 2) - University of Strathclyde
- Other related degree programmes
- Enhanced career prospects in the Supported Learning Sector
Course Content
The course will develop your first line managerial skills through the delivery of units including:
- Management Styles
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Managing Meetings & Presenting Reports
- Human Resource Management Skills within Team Working
- Designing, Implementing & Leading Staff in Undertaking & Evaluating Client-based Learning Experiences
Entry Requirements
- HNC Additional Support Needs: Supporting the Individual
- HNC Early Education & Childcare
- HNC Occupational Therapy Support
- HNC Social Care
- HNC Health Care
Assessment
- Continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments
- No final examination
Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Full-time
SCQF Level
- 8
- BA/Diploma of Higher Education: Education & Social Services
BA/Diploma of Higher Education: Education & Social Services
This programme is designed for students with a relevant HNC who wish to continue their studies to progress into employment within a social care, healthcare or educational services environment. The course is developed to meet the requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at a senior level. This course is run in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. The initial year of the course offers a Diploma qualification which is delivered at Langside College. Students will be introduced to the University and will participate in partnership teaching and learning at the University campus. Upon successful completion of the Diploma, students can directly advance to the BA programme at the University of Strathclyde where they will continue their studies to complete the BA Education and Social Services.
Employment Options
A diverse range of options are available to students including supporting service users in mental health, addictions, homelessness, learning disability, family and education settings.
On completion of the BA programme, students are eligible to register with the SSSC. This will allow you to progress through employment in the Social Services Sector to senior positions in Adult Services. In addition you will have a recognised academic degree at SCQF Level 9 for work in Children’s Services and will require a recognised SSSC qualification for working at a senior level in Children’s Services.Educational Progression Routes
Many students choose to continue their studies at Post Graduate level. Examples of courses that students have been successful in obtaining are: Drug and Alcohol Studies, Criminology Studies, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Primary Teaching, Autism Studies and Counselling Studies.
Course Content
- Professional & Personal Development
- Societal Context & Policy
- Integration of Services
- Understanding & Meeting Needs
- Understanding & Developing Practice
- Work Placement
Entry Requirements
- HNC Social Care
- HNC Health Care
- HNC Early Education & Childcare
- HNC Supporting Learning Needs
- HNC Occupational Therapy
- All HNC qualifications must have been achieved post 2005
- Applicants in addition require relevant experience of the workplace
- Candidates are also required to write a reflective personal statement demonstrating their experience and interest in the course
Assessment
- Continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments
- Work placement
Duration
- August 2012 - June 2013
Attendance
- Full-time
SCQF Level
- 8/9
