Childhood Practice Qualifications and Professional Learning
We offer a range of professional qualifications to meet registration requirements and enable support workers, practitioners and managers to progress in their chosen careers. We also provide continuous professional learning opportunities to refresh knowledge and build skills.
Our courses can be delivered on campus, at your workplace or virtually via MS Teams or online open learning packages.
Qualifications
Many of our courses are designed to meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council. We offer college-based qualifications, including
- HNC Childhood Practice for practitioners
- PDA Level 8 Childhood Practice for aspiring leaders/managers
- PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice for managers of childhood practice settings.
We also deliver workplace-based SVQ courses, including the SVQ Social Services Children and Young People and SVQ Playwork qualifications. Our SVQ delivery is flexible and includes regular underpinning knowledge sessions with assessors, delivered online or on campus.
Professional Learning
Our team delivers SQA-accredited CPD units designed to support you in developing your knowledge and skills and keeping up to date with developments in the sector. We have a selection of units from the HNC Childhood Practice, along with individual SVQ units, which can also be used to build credits for anyone interested in progressing to study at a higher level with us or at university.
We also offer the Award in Forest Kindergarten. This qualification meets the needs of practitioners who want to arrange regular off-site visits to a local wood or a nearby green space for children in their care.
Bespoke training
We can create a customised training programme tailored to your team or business requirements. Contact us to discuss. Examples of customised training we have offered include:
- Supporting children with additional support needs
- Promoting children’s health and wellbeing
- Safeguarding strategies for children and young people
- Leadership in a childhood practice setting
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals
- Pedagogical approaches to supporting play
- Introduction to playwork theory
- Nurture and trauma-informed practice
- Award in Forest Kindergarten – this can be delivered at your setting for a group of staff
We loved working with Edinburgh College to create bespoke training for our Early Years team. The content was spot on, and we felt that the course leader really listened to what we needed. The format of the course was interactive and engaging with lots of variety and the facilitation was excellent. The course leader delivered the course with patience and flexibility, and had an amazing ability to get our chatty team back on track at the same time as making people feel valued and heard.Scottish Book Trust, bespoke training delivered December 2022
We offer a variety of professional development courses for Childhood Practice and Community Practitioners.
|
Course Name |
Short Description |
Delivery |
Duration |
|
Get into Education Support |
This is an excellent course for people interested in supporting children and young people in a school setting, but unsure where to start. The course will have six sessions, covering a range of topics relevant to working with children and young people as a pupil/education support assistant or ASN auxiliary. |
Virtual/On Campus/Workplace |
1 Evening per Week for 6 Weeks or bespoke option available |
|
Get into Childcare |
This course is a great place to start for people interested in working with children and young people who are unsure of what to do. The course will cover topics relevant to working with children and young people across different settings. This will give you an introduction to the issues and an idea of whether you want to continue. |
Virtual/On Campus/Workplace |
1 Evening per Week for 6 Weeks or bespoke option available |
|
Supporting Play and Pedagogy |
The course is designed to support and develop an understanding of play as the key mechanism for learning, development and wellbeing and the importance of play for its own sake. Through exploring and reflecting on current thinking, guidance frameworks and practical approaches, the course aims to develop the confidence, creativity and practice of those who work with children and young people in settings which are predominantly play-based (or moving towards this). |
Virtual/On Campus/ Workplace |
1 Evening per Week for 12 Weeks |
|
Flexible CPD Units for Childhood Practice |
The course is flexible, allowing you to choose from a range of units, each of which takes approximately 10 weeks to complete. These are designed for professionals already working with children and young people in childcare settings. |
Virtual/On Campus/ Workplace |
10 Weeks |
|
SVQ 2 Social Services Children and Young People |
The SVQ 2 Social Services, Children and Young People is a qualification that the SSSC accepts for registration as a support worker. It is designed as an introductory qualification that will confirm your skills and knowledge at this level. The course will cover key topics relevant to working with children or young people in a daycare setting. |
Virtual/On Campus/ Workplace |
Individual support from an assessor for 12 months. |
|
Childhood Practice Access to HNC |
This course is designed specifically for career changers or those returning to education who are interested in further study and a career working with children and young people. You will work towards one SCQF Level 6 Unit from the NC Early Education and Childcare Group Award – Play in Early Education and Childcare. |
On Campus/Online |
1 Evening (2 Hours) per Week for 18 Weeks |
|
PDA Level 8 Childhood Practice |
This PDA covers enhanced professional practice, leadership and team working, integrated working and collaborative practice, policy to practice, and pedagogical approaches. |
On Campus/Online |
1 Evening (2 Hours) per Week for 2 Years |
|
PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice |
This PDA develops the skills and knowledge required to manage services for children and young people. It is aimed at those who wish to progress into management within the Childcare and Playwork sectors without having to complete a full-time University programme. |
On Campus/Online |
1 Evening (2 Hours) per Week for 2 Years |
|
SVQ 3 Social Services Children and Young People |
This course will allow childcare practitioners to demonstrate competence in job related skills in their area of work. |
On Campus |
1 Evening (2 Hours) per Month for 1 Year |
|
SVQ Level 4 Social Services Children and Young People |
This course is suitable for those working in a lead role supporting practitioners, such as a senior, supervisor or manager in an early learning and childcare setting offering day care for children. This course will allow you to demonstrate competence in job related skills in your area of work. |
On Campus |
1 Evening (2 Hours) per Month for 1 Year |
|
SVQ Level 3 Playwork |
This course is suitable for childcare practitioners looking to improve their knowledge of playwork. You will learn how to enhance relationships, contribute to the smooth running of a playwork setting, and how to implement policies and procedures to safeguard young people in a playwork setting. |
On Campus |
1 Half Day per Month for 18 Months |
|
SVQ Level 4 Playwork |
This course is suitable for those working in a lead role supporting practitioners, such as a senior, supervisor or manager in an early learning and childcare setting. You will learn to manage operational plans for play provision, lead practice that promotes the safeguarding of children and young people and manage internal and external relationships specific to playwork. |
On Campus |
1 Half Day per Month for 2 Years |
|
Award in Forest Kindergarten |
This course has been designed to meet the needs of practitioners who would like to set up a regular routine of off-site visits to a local wood or nearby green space for children in their setting. |
On Campus and MS Teams |
2 Weeks |
|
Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice and Nurture Principles |
This course offers a foundational understanding of trauma informed practice and the principles of nurture. Exploring how early experiences shape development, how trauma can impact behaviour, wellbeing and learning, and how nurturing approaches can create safe, supportive environments for children and young people to thrive. |
Virtual/On Campus/ Workplace |
1 Evening per Week for 7 Weeks or bespoke option available |
|
Exploring Trauma Informed Practice |
This course is designed to deepen your understanding of trauma, while equipping you with practical strategies to create safe, supportive environments. Through a blend of theory and application, you will learn how to embed trauma-informed principles into everyday practice and work collaboratively to promote resilience and wellbeing. |
Virtual/On Campus/ Workplace |
1 Evening per Week for 6 Weeks or bespoke option available |
|
HNC Working With Communities |
If you are working or volunteering with community-based groups, this course, based in our Milton Road Campus, is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain a professional qualification in Community Learning and Development. You will undertake a placement in youth work, adult education or community work in the statutory or voluntary sector to give you valuable practical experience. |
Milton Road campus, full time and part time options |
1 year full time, 2 years part time |
|
PDA Youthwork – Working With Communities |
The Professional Development Award (PDA) in Youth Work at SCQF Level 6 is a qualification that has been designed for those who provide support, advice and guidance for young people in a Community Learning and Development (CLD) context, and who, through this work, help develop the knowledge and skills of young people. Staff currently working in the CLD sector who have no formal qualifications but are looking to improve their professional practice and develop best practices in their working environment may also be interested. |
Midlothian campus, evening course |
1 semester |
|
Working With Communities: An Introduction |
Introduction to Working with Communities at SCQF Level 5 is a course that has been designed for those who would like to know more about providing support, advice and guidance for people in a Community Learning and Development (CLD) context, through this work, develop and gain knowledge and skills of working with people in a variety of community environments. Aimed at people currently volunteering within the charity and third sector who have no formal qualifications, but are looking to improve their professional practice, and develop best practices within their working environment, may also be interested. |
Granton campus, one day per week |
1 semester |
|
Adult Returners |
This part-time course is for adults with limited formal qualifications who wish to enhance their confidence and skills to prepare for further study. The course runs for 18 weeks and will allow you to work towards SQA Units and Edinburgh College courses at SCQF Level 4. |
Granton campus, 2 days per week |
1 semester |
|
Get Into Youthwork |
This course is a great place to start for people interested in working in the youthwork sector and are unsure of where to start. The course will cover topics relevant to working with young people across different settings and will give you an introduction to the key topics and an idea of whether you want to continue. |
Virtual/On Campus |
1 Evening per Week for 6 Weeks |
|
Get into Community Work |
This course is a great place to start for people interested in working in the community work sector and are unsure of where to start. The course will cover topics relevant to working in a range of different settings and will give you an introduction to the key topics and an idea of whether you want to continue. |
Virtual/On Campus |
1 Evening per Week for 6 Weeks |
|
Understanding Autism: An Introduction |
This short introductory course provides a foundation for understanding autism, exploring what autism is, how it can affect individuals differently, and the strengths and challenges autistic people may experience. Participants will gain awareness of common characteristics of autism, learn about inclusive and supportive approaches, and develop practical strategies to promote understanding, communication, and positive interactions in everyday settings. |
Virtual/On Campus |
2 evenings |
|
Understanding ADHD: An Introduction |
This short introductory course provides an overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), helping participants understand what ADHD is and how it can affect learning, behaviour, communication, and daily life. The course explores common characteristics of ADHD, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while highlighting the strengths and unique perspectives of individuals with ADHD. Participants will gain practical strategies to support inclusion, improve understanding, and create positive environments for people with ADHD. |
Virtual/On Campus |
2 evenings |
|
Computing in The Community (Ms Office Essentials) |
Develop essential digital skills in a supportive community setting. This practical course is designed for adults who want to build confidence using computers and Microsoft Office applications for everyday life, learning and work. Whether you are returning to learning, looking to improve your employability skills or want to become more confident with technology, this course provides a welcoming introduction to digital skills. |
Weekly classes day or evening |
6-week block |