Find a course
arc blue

HNC CHILDHOOD PRACTICE FULL TIME

  • Start date:   August 2026
  • Level of Qualification:   SCQF Level 7
  • Course Type:   Full-time

HNC CHILDHOOD PRACTICE FULL TIME

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people? This full-time course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to work effectively across a variety of care and educational settings.

Start date – August 2026
End date – June 2027
SCQF Level - 7
Mode – Full time

Days: Monday to Friday (Class and Placement) 
Times: 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm  
Duration: 1 year

You will learn how to apply the core values of Childhood Practice to support the development, learning, and wellbeing of children and young people. Through a blend of practical experience and essential theory, you’ll gain a deep understanding of what makes outstanding childcare practice. 

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to: 

  • Support children and families with professionalism and empathy
  • Apply best practices in care and education settings
  • Build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in childcare or further study

Take the first step toward a career that truly makes a difference.

  • What the course includes

    This course covers a wide range of key topics that will prepare you for a successful career in childcare. You’ll explore care in contemporary society, looking at how childcare and early education are shaped by current social issues, policies, and trends. You’ll also dive into leadership, gaining valuable skills to take on roles where you can guide and support others in childcare settings. 

    The course will focus heavily on health, wellbeing, and safeguarding, teaching you how to protect and promote the physical and emotional health of children in your care. You’ll learn about lifespan development, studying various theoretical approaches to understanding how children grow and develop from infancy to adolescence. This helps you better support their individual needs and ensure their growth is supported in a positive way. 

    Effective communication is another crucial area, where you’ll learn how to communicate with children, families, and colleagues in a way that promotes trust and positive relationships. You’ll also gain skills in promoting health, safety, and security in childcare settings, making sure that children are always in a safe and secure environment. 

    Finally, the course encourages you to develop your practice through reflection and learning, helping you grow both personally and professionally as you assess and improve your approach to childcare. You’ll learn how to adapt to new challenges and continue your growth in the field.

Why choose this course

This course is the ideal course if you’re passionate about working with children and want to make a real impact in the childcare field. It will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to work confidently in a variety of care settings, helping you support children and families effectively. 

You will gain valuable experience from work placements within early years settings as well as early years and primary establishments visiting campus, within our purpose-built playroom and outdoor classrooms. 

Additionally, the course encourages continuous learning and reflection, helping you grow as a professional in your practice. If you want a career where you can make a difference in children’s lives while building a strong foundation in childcare and development, this course is the perfect choice for you.

Entry requirements

  • 2 Highers (one must be English, communication or written English on core skills profile) at grade C or above  
  • Level 6 Childhood Practice qualification
  • Higher Childcare and Development or equivalent  
  • Foundation Apprenticeship in a related subject and Higher English at grade C or above 
  • Experience in a childcare/related setting is also required 
  • Digital skills  

We welcome applications from people with relevant life and work experience.

An Enhanced Disclosure Scotland application is required. This will be carried out with the college if a place is offered. 

If English is not your first language, ESOL Level 5 is an entry requirement for this course.

  • yuytty

    Where it leads

    Education: HND Childhood Practice (for those currently employed within early years) or degree-level courses. West Lothian College has an exclusive articulation agreement with advance standing into year 2 of the BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary) at Queen Margaret University.

    These spaces are limited and applicants who submit a competitive application will be considered.

    Employment: In childcare with statutory, voluntary or private organisations including schools, nurseries, creches and family centres. Previous students have found employment with West Lothian Council and several private nurseries.

Interview arrangements

If we invite you for an interview, plan to be in college for around two hours. The interview consists of:

  • Course information
  • Interview
  • Short written task

Please bring evidence of any qualifications and/or any employment references.

Interview Questions  

  • Tell me three things you like about yourself
  • Do you have any experience working with children and young people
  • Can you tell me the importance of outdoor play in early years  
  • Tell me about a time you have worked in a team
  • What would you do if another student asked to copy your work?
  • Have you ever experienced a challenge in learning? How did you overcome this?
  • If you had a free day, what would you spend it doing?
  • What made you apply for this course?
  • Have you applied for university?

Fees, Finance & Funding

There may be help available to assist with your study related costs. Impartial, confidential help and advice on financial matters is available from the Student Funding Team - including Bursaries, Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Loans Company and student support funds. Click here to find out more

arc purple
arc white

Take that next step in your career and apply for this course today. If the course is not yet open for applications, feel free to ask any questions by clicking make an enquiry.

Apply online Make an enquiry