NC Childhood Practice SCQF level 6
This National Certificate (NC) Childhood Practice provides a broad-based study of the range of topics, both theory and practice based, related to early education and childcare that are required for progression to areas of study or employment at support worker level within a childhood practice and childcare setting.
The NC in Childhood Practice at SCQF level 6 has been developed in partnership with employers and industry so it is suitable for the current sector. It will help employers meet skills gaps and provide continuing professional development for staff, while learners will gain knowledge and skills needed for progression in the workplace.
The NC is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge, skills, values and competencies for those wishing to work with, or already working with, children and young people in a childhood practice setting.
Qualification structure
Group award code: GV2M 46 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
This National Certificate consists of 8 mandatory unit(s) (54 SCQF credit points) and 3 optional units (18 SCQF credit points).
Mandatory units include:
- Planning for Practice
- Planning for Practice: workplace experience
- Providing an Inclusive Curriculum in a Childhood Practice Setting
- Protecting and Promoting the Rights of the Child
- Sociology of Childhood
- Child Development
- Child Development: Theory
- Services for Children and Young People
See the group award specification (306 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.
NC Education and Childcare G8K1 46
This group award has been replaced.
It entered its lapsing period on: 01/08/2023
It finishes on: 31/07/2025
Group Award Code: G8K1 46 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
NC Early Education and Childcare at SCQF Level 6 (272 KB)
Course Overview and Skills Development Summary - NC Early Education and Childcare (747 KB)
Seven mandatory Units (54 SCQF credit points)
Mandatory Units 9 credits
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| J205 76 | Child Development | 1 | 6 |
| J206 76 | Child Development: Theory | 1 | 6 |
| J207 76 | Services for Children and Young People | 1 | 6 |
| DM41 12 | Play in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
| DM5L 12 | Developing an Understanding of Working with Children | 1 | 6 |
| DM42 12 | Play in Practice | 2 | 12 |
| DM5M 12 | Developing an Understanding of Working with Children: Workplace Experience | 2 | 12 |
Optional Units - 3 credits from
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| DM5J 12 | Supporting Children's Rights and Entitlements | 1 | 6 |
| DM5K 12 | Supporting Children's Behaviour | 1 | 6 |
| DM5N 12 | Experiential Approaches to Early Education and Childcare | 2 | 12 |
| DM5P 11 | Prevention of Infection | 1 | 6 |
| HX1W 75 or F19M 12 |
Introduction to First Aid First Aid |
1 1 |
6 6 |
| DM5T 12 | HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections | 1 | 6 |
| DM5V 11 | Maintenance of a Safe Environment for Children | 1 | 6 |
| DM5W 11 | Partnerships in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
| F19L 11 | Child Development and Health | 1 | 6 |
| DM5Y 11 | Creative and Aesthetic Experiences for Children | 1 | 6 |
| *HX1J 75 | Care and Feeding of Children and Young People | 1 | 6 |
| DM61 12 | Supporting the Care and Feeding of Babies | 1 | 6 |
| DM62 12 | Supporting the Care and Feeding of Babies: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| F7J4 12 | Supporting Language, Literacy and Numeracy in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM64 12 | Supporting ICT in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM65 11 | Supporting Children with Additional Support Needs | 1 | 6 |
| DM66 12 | Supporting a Curriculum in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM67 12 | Supporting a Curriculum in an Early Education and Childcare Setting: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| DM68 12 | Supporting Playwork Practice | 1 | 6 |
| DM69 12 | Supporting Playwork Practice: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| External assessment credits | |||
| *X714 76 | Childcare and Development | 1 | 6 |
| X06L 12 | Play in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
Core Skills Credits
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| X06L 12 | Communication (Core Skill) | 1 | 6 |
| F3GF 11 | Numeracy | 1 | 6 |
| F3GC 11 | Information and Communication Technology | 1 | 6 |
Alternative assessment guidance
For guidance on which approach suits your current circumstances please use the HNVQ assessment decision tree.
How to assess
Each individual Unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment. Each unit is assessed separately.
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Funding
The NC in Early Education and Childcare may attract Local Authority funding for the candidate (bursary).
Where can you take this course?
Why study this qualification
This qualification suits a wide range of candidates.
It is ideally suited for:
- school leavers
- adult returners
- those in employment in the Childhood Practice sector as a basis for building on good practice, continuing professional development
- those who wish to progress to further study.
Candidates will be given a work placement in the Childhood Practice sector gives the skills required by the sector.
Achievement is nationally recognised and certificated.
Successful completion will allow the candidate to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at support worker level.
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre. However, it is recommended that candidates have four Standard Grades at Credit level or equivalent and skills in oral and written communication. Consideration should also be given to candidates with relevant experience.
Employment and progression
Candidates could progress to the HNC in Childhood Practice. In determining the structure of the Group Award, careful consideration has been given to candidate progression, either into employment or further study, and it is likely that centres will consider the content of the HNC and local employment requirements when considering the choice of optional Units.
The completion of this NC will allow candidates to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) at support worker level.
As part of the regulatory requirements, support workers will be required to undergo continuous professional development and the component Units from this NC are suitable for this purpose.
Qualification structure
Group award code: GV2M 46 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
This National Certificate consists of 8 mandatory unit(s) (54 SCQF credit points) and 3 optional units (18 SCQF credit points).
Mandatory units include:
- Planning for Practice
- Planning for Practice: workplace experience
- Providing an Inclusive Curriculum in a Childhood Practice Setting
- Protecting and Promoting the Rights of the Child
- Sociology of Childhood
- Child Development
- Child Development: Theory
- Services for Children and Young People
See the group award specification (306 KB) for the full list of mandatory and optional units.
NC Education and Childcare G8K1 46
This group award has been replaced.
It entered its lapsing period on: 01/08/2023
It finishes on: 31/07/2025
Group Award Code: G8K1 46 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
NC Early Education and Childcare at SCQF Level 6 (272 KB)
Course Overview and Skills Development Summary - NC Early Education and Childcare (747 KB)
Seven mandatory Units (54 SCQF credit points)
Mandatory Units 9 credits
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| J205 76 | Child Development | 1 | 6 |
| J206 76 | Child Development: Theory | 1 | 6 |
| J207 76 | Services for Children and Young People | 1 | 6 |
| DM41 12 | Play in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
| DM5L 12 | Developing an Understanding of Working with Children | 1 | 6 |
| DM42 12 | Play in Practice | 2 | 12 |
| DM5M 12 | Developing an Understanding of Working with Children: Workplace Experience | 2 | 12 |
Optional Units - 3 credits from
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| DM5J 12 | Supporting Children's Rights and Entitlements | 1 | 6 |
| DM5K 12 | Supporting Children's Behaviour | 1 | 6 |
| DM5N 12 | Experiential Approaches to Early Education and Childcare | 2 | 12 |
| DM5P 11 | Prevention of Infection | 1 | 6 |
| HX1W 75 or F19M 12 |
Introduction to First Aid First Aid |
1 1 |
6 6 |
| DM5T 12 | HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections | 1 | 6 |
| DM5V 11 | Maintenance of a Safe Environment for Children | 1 | 6 |
| DM5W 11 | Partnerships in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
| F19L 11 | Child Development and Health | 1 | 6 |
| DM5Y 11 | Creative and Aesthetic Experiences for Children | 1 | 6 |
| *HX1J 75 | Care and Feeding of Children and Young People | 1 | 6 |
| DM61 12 | Supporting the Care and Feeding of Babies | 1 | 6 |
| DM62 12 | Supporting the Care and Feeding of Babies: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| F7J4 12 | Supporting Language, Literacy and Numeracy in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM64 12 | Supporting ICT in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM65 11 | Supporting Children with Additional Support Needs | 1 | 6 |
| DM66 12 | Supporting a Curriculum in an Early Education and Childcare Setting | 1 | 6 |
| DM67 12 | Supporting a Curriculum in an Early Education and Childcare Setting: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| DM68 12 | Supporting Playwork Practice | 1 | 6 |
| DM69 12 | Supporting Playwork Practice: Workplace Experience | 1 | 6 |
| External assessment credits | |||
| *X714 76 | Childcare and Development | 1 | 6 |
| X06L 12 | Play in Early Education and Childcare | 1 | 6 |
Core Skills Credits
| Code | Title | Credit value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQA | SCQF | ||
| X06L 12 | Communication (Core Skill) | 1 | 6 |
| F3GF 11 | Numeracy | 1 | 6 |
| F3GC 11 | Information and Communication Technology | 1 | 6 |
Alternative assessment guidance
For guidance on which approach suits your current circumstances please use the HNVQ assessment decision tree.