Introduction
If you are interested in pursuing a career in working with children, the Early Learning and Childcare National 5 course may be for you.
It is an introductory course that aims to help you develop some of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for work in the early learning and childcare sector. If you are successfully accepted on to the programme you will study both theoretical content as well as taking part in practical activities.
Course code
JSEEC
Location
Stranraer Campus
Duration
- 1 year part time, 3 hrs per week
Entry Requirements
You will need the following:
- A keen interest to pursue a future career working within the social services: children and young people sector.
- To demonstrate ability to work at National 5 level comfortably.
- To include an accurate and well written statement in your application that should explain why you want to do this programme and your interest in this subject.
Information and Interview Session Requirements
There are no requirements for an interview for this course, but you should have a basic knowledge and an interest in the industry with a view to potentially looking to have a career within it if you would like to join this course
Course Content
The course aims to give you:
- An understanding of the workplace and your responsibilities when working within the sector
- Theoretical and underpinning knowledge that drive practices in all childcare settings. You will learn about child development and wellbeing and the factors that can influence these outcomes. You will learn about the importance of play in early learning and child development and wellbeing. You will acquire practical skills of planning, implementing and reviewing quality play experiences for a range of different ages. These play experiences will involve both indoor and outdoor settings.
- positive attitude to learning
- flexible approaches to solving problems and developing meta skills
- adaptability and positive attitude to change
- confidence to set goals, reflect and learn from experience
Assessments
All components of the programme are assessed. A variety of assessment approaches are used for example, building portfolios of evidence, short reports, oral and poster presentations, observation of your practical skills.
Progression
A pass in this programme may form part of the entry criteria towards applying for the following:
- a place on a full-time college in Early Learning and Childcare course (dependent of meeting additional entry requirements).
- The Foundation Apprenticeship part time programme if you continue at school for a further year,
Career Prospects
This is an introductory programme to working in the early learning and childcare sector. If you intend to pursue a career within this area you will need to gain further qualifications to be able to register with SSSC.
Further information on careers within this sector can be found at the following link
https://childcarecareersscotland.scot/
Additional funding information
N/A
Course Contact Details
Michelle Hodgson – email hodgsonm@dumgal.ac.uk
Selling Points
Facilities include a simulated early learning nursery setting.
This course or its units may provide progression to full time courses in Childcare at National 5 or SCQF level 6
The programme also aims to develop transferrable skills relevant to employment.