HND Early Childhood Education & Care
This course is normally studied for 2 years full time, with teaching based at our Digbeth campus: https://www.sccb.ac.uk/digbethcampus A variety of learning and teaching opportunities will be available on your course, approximately 32% of your learning will include lectures, tutorials and class room based learning supplemented by workshop activities. Studying can include individual and group working. Higher education courses also require students to undertake independent study and so approximately 68% of your studies will be through independent learning, research, reading and completing assessments. Independent study can also include working in the library or joining a study workshop at the College where you can gain support on study skills. In preparing to work in the early childhood education and care sector, students are required to undertake a significant placement or employment of a minimum of 525 cumulative hours over the duration of the course. Placements or employment must be undertaken in an early years education and care setting. Placement hours are usually around 375 in year one and 150 in year two. Assessment: Approximately 78% of assessments are course work based, 22% are in person which may be a presentation or time constrained tasks and there are no exams. Assessments are designed to reflect the diverse business sector and so could be for example a live project, a case study, observation, report or project. Units: The course aims to develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector through the study of an average of 120 credits per academic year with a total credit value of 240 credits (equivalent to the first 2 years of an honours degree). At Level 4, students develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the early education and care sector through eight core units valued at 120 credits. At Level 5, students continue to build on the essential skills, knowledge
You will study 14 units on this course, each unit has a credit value of 15 or 30 credits, and the total number of credits to be studied is 240.
The units to be studied are:
• Personal and Professional Development through Reflective Practice (15 credits).
Holistic child-centred practice is embedded into the daily roles of early childhood practitioners working with children in the age ranges of 0–8 years. It is essential that practitioners within this arena take time to develop the skill of reflection and ensure they are able to do this in relation to their practice. Engaging in a continuous cycle of reflection and improvement is critical to ensure the best outcomes for the child are paramount in decision-making.
• Protecting Children in Early Education and Care Environments (15 credits).
People working in the early childhood education and care sector, have a responsibility for safeguarding, protecting children and their health and safety through the development and implementation of policies and procedures in their settings in relation to practices for safeguarding and protecting children. Students will review their home country’s legislation, guidance, policies, practices and procedures that underpin the protection of children through the provision of a healthy and safe environment. This unit clarifies child protection principles, practices and opportunities for leadership of principled practice that positions people at the heart of safeguarding and child protection, rather than policy and procedure.
• Play and Learning in Early Childhood (15 credits).
Play is a complex subject that is important to explore in early childhood research and practice. The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) field benefits from knowledgeable practitioners who are also advocates for play. There is a wealth of material written and a vast array of research and opinions on the value and status of play which this unit will begin to explore. It is necessary t
Applicants must be aged 18 years on or before 31st August of the academic year that the programme commences.
Students studying on this course are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please ensure you are eligible to join this course as you may be charged fees even if you have to withdraw at a later date.
A minimum of 48 UCAS points is required from a linked qualification such as early years or health and care, for entry on to the programme, including points from a level 3 qualification. Applicants with a level 3 qualification from other subject areas will be considered, please contact the team to discuss further.
A* to C grades or 9 to 4 grades in GCSE English Language and Maths (or equivalent) are strongly recommended, or equivalent Level 2 qualification. Alternatively students must be able to demonstrate equivalent skills to IELTS 5.5 including reading and writing at 5.5.
Examples of relevant level 3 qualifications include:
• GCE ‘A’ Level passes
• 1 x GCE ‘A’ Level pass plus AS level passes in appropriate subjects
• BTEC National Diploma or Extended Diploma
• BTEC National Certificate
• A Level 3 Diploma or equivalent such as NVQ, GNVQ, International Baccalaureate,
• A recognised (Kitmarked) Access Course
• City and Guilds Technical Baccalaureate
• Successful completion of a Level 3 apprenticeship.
• Other relevant international qualifications
It is recognised that some learners may have significant relevant work experience or other professional qualifications, please contact the course team to discuss in more detail.
The Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care will develop personal, professional and employability skills to prepare students for employment or continue in higher education.
Students who have studied at the College have also continued into higher studies, enrolling onto the final year of an honours degree. The College has a B.A. (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree awarded by University College Birmingham, or students can study elsewhere depending on their subject specialism. Please note that universities set their own entrance requirements and not all will offer final year entry. Many students progress onto honours degree programmes and then PGCE programmes or directly to primary education degree programme to become Primary School teachers. Examples of degree progression include:
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care
• BA/BSc (Hons) Child Psychology
• BA (Hons) Child and Family Studies
• BA/BSc (Hons) Child Health and Wellbeing
• BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies
• BA (Hons) Primary Education
Graduates successfully completing the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care will be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts, values and principles of early education and care practice, and the skills to perform effectively as a worker in a number of different settings in the early education and care sector.
They will have developed a range of transferable skills to ensure effective team working, independent initiative, organisation competence and problem-solving strategies. They will also demonstrate regard for the ethical responsibilities of the early childhood practitioner and the importance of their role in supporting the development of happy, healthy children. Previous students who have entered employment in care settings have gone on to develop their own businesses.
