Childhood Practice Training and CPD
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.
Professional qualifications
Many of our courses are designed to meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council. We offer college-based qualifications including the HNC Childhood Practice for practitioners, PDA Level 8 Childhood Practice for aspiring leaders/managers, and 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.
CPD courses
Our team delivers SQA-accredited CPD units designed to support you in developing your knowledge and skills and to keep up to date with developments in the sector. We have a selection of units from the HNC Childhood Practice, along with individual SVQ units and these units 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 would like to set up regular off-site visits to a local wood or nearby green space for children in their care.
Bespoke training
We can create a customised training programme tailored to your team or business requirements, please 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 Practitioners.
|
Course Name |
Short Description |
Delivery |
Duration |
|
Childhood Practice Access to HNC |
Our HNC Childhood Practice 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 (DM4112). |
On Campus/Online |
1 Evening (2 hrs)/Week for 18 Weeks |
|
PDA Level 8 Childhood Practice |
The PDA in Childhood Practice at SCQF level 8 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 hrs)/Week for 2 Years |
|
PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice |
The level 9 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 hrs)/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 particular area of work. |
On Campus |
1 Evening (2 hrs)/Month for 1 year |
|
SVQ 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 daycare for children. This course will allow you to demonstrate competence in job related skills in your area of work. |
On Campus |
1 Evening (2 hrs)/Month for 1 year |
|
SVQ 3 Playwork |
This qualification 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/Month for 18 Months |
|
SVQ 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/Month for 2 Years |
|
Award in Forest Kindergarten |
The SQA-certificated Forest Kindergarten course has been put together to specifically meet the needs of practitioners who would like to set up a regular routine of off-site visits to a local wood or nearby greenspace for children in their setting. |
On Campus/MS Teams |
2 weeks |