Childhood Practice
The Scottish Government commitment to provide at least 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare to every child from the age of three is resulting in a substantial increase in the early years’ workforce. This means that there are many job opportunities ahead.
We are expanding to meet this demand, offering courses from introductory level to HND to prepare students for a career in this growing sector. We also offer additional short courses to enhance their qualification, for example paediatric first aid certificate, REHIS elementary food hygiene certificate, and supervised tooth brushing: all useful for work in this sector.
We have excellent links with local employers and related organisations, which means students learn directly from specialists in the industry. Previous childhood practice and early education students have benefited from sessions with the Children’s Commissioner for Scotland, Home Start and from attending the Early Years Services conference.
Learning happens everywhere, not just in classrooms. Our students learn in our multi award winning outdoor classroom on campus, which acts as an excellent outdoor teaching space for students, with regular visits and experience working with local primary and secondary school children. We also take our students out on visits, with previous students visiting the Risk Factory, Mini Highland Games and Foxlake Adventures.
Our childhood practice and early education students complete work placements in local authority and private nurseries as part of the course. This gives them useful experience for developing a career in this field. Work placements let students gain meaningful work experience within the industry before they embark on their career. It can even lead to permanent job offers on completing the course.
You can read about our Early Years partnership here
Connor Green won the Childhood Practice student of the year award at our 2019 graduation ceremony. Hear what he had to say here
Maggie Law speaks about her childcare journey in this video