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HND CHILDHOOD PRACTICE

  • Start date:   August 2025
  • Level of Qualification:   SCQF Level 8
  • Course Type:   Full-time

HND CHILDHOOD PRACTICE

The HND in Childhood Practice is a dynamic qualification that blends practical skills with in-depth theoretical knowledge to support you in a rewarding career in Early Learning and Childcare.

Start date – August 2025 
End date –  June 2026 
SCQF Level -  8 
Mode –  Full time  

Days: 2 days per week – Wednesday and Thursday (work placement days will be in addition to this if you are not currently working in practice)
Times: 9am - 12pm and 1pm – 4pm   
Duration: 1 year

This course ensures you gain the expertise and hands-on experience that the industry values most. You’ll develop the skills needed to support children’s growth and learning, while also exploring the theories and best practices that underpin effective childcare.

Whether you’re aiming to advance your career or enhancing your practitioner qualification before taking your first steps into a career in the sector, this qualification will equip you with the tools to succeed in a variety of professional settings.

  • What the course includes

    The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 8 is designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills for a successful career in early learning and childcare. Building on the foundation of the Higher National Certificate (HNC), this course focuses on key areas such as enhanced professional practice, where you’ll refine the techniques and approaches needed to support children’s development effectively. 

    You’ll explore leadership and team working, learning how to guide and collaborate with others in childcare settings, as well as integrated and collaborative working, which highlights the importance of working with families, colleagues, and other professionals to support children holistically. 

    The course also explores policy to practice, helping you understand how national policies shape early learning and childcare practices, and introduces advanced pedagogical approaches, giving you the tools to create engaging and effective learning environments for children.

Why choose this course

The HND in Childhood Practice is an excellent choice for anyone passionate about working with children and advancing their career in childcare and early education. Whether you’re looking to progress your studies from a recently completed HNC or someone already working in the sector and looking to boost your career prospects, this course is designed for you. 

You’ll be able to enhance your planning and implementation skills by taking part in our annual sustainability event on campus- find out more here.

In the past two academic years HND students have had the opportunity to travel to Soest, Germany as part of our newly established international partnership.

Entry requirements

  • HNC Childhood Practice  
  • Experience in an Early Learning & Childcare related setting 
  • IT skills (for assessments) desirable

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. 

  • Where it leads

    Education: West Lothian College has an exclusive articulation agreement with advance standing into year 3 of the BA (Hons) Education Studies (Non Teaching) at Queen Margaret University.  

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

    Employment: Promoted posts within Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings.

Interview arrangements

You’ll be invited to an interview to ensure the course is the right fit for you. The interview consists of: 

  • Course information 
  • Interview 
  • Short written task 

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

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

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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.

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