First Steps to Childhood Practice - Level 5 (January)
- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 27 Jan 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 weeks (January to June)
First Steps to Childhood Practice is a short 18-week course which will expand your knowledge of how children and young people develop and learn.
This course is for anyone who would like to boost their confidence, knowledge and skills when engaging in play, providing care and ensuring the growth and development of children and young people.
Childcare is more than just a job, it's a fulfilling and varied career that offers security and great employment prospects. Working with children indoors and out, you'll make a meaningful impact on their lives - and yours!
If you would like to gain practical experience of working with children and families in play sessions, this course could be for you.
What will I learn?
During the First Steps to Childhood Practice course you'll:
- Learn about the relationship between play in early learning and childcare and how different types of play support the development and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Work with children and young people and their parents in the delivery of play activities with your classmates and learn about the importance of teamwork.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Three National 4s, or equivalent, one of which should be English
- If English is not your first language you should have Intermediate ESOL or National 4 ESOL.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
Employer and industry links
During the course we regularly welcome guest speakers from a variety of partnership organisations to speak with childcare students.
Opportunity to gain practical experience of working with children and families through play sessions in the local community.
Jobs and further study
Successful students may progress to NC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 6 starting in August at Glasgow Clyde College, a course which offers professional recognition as a Support Worker and registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session. You may be asked to provide a reference as part of this process.
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding. This will normally be sent out in December / January.