- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 6
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- NC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
NC Childhood Practice provides an integrated programme of theory and practical activity at SCQF Level 6. It is an exciting time to begin a career in childhood practice and this course provides a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills which will support anyone interested in working in an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) environment. The course also includes a practical training placement which provides valuable work experience.
What will I learn?
Some of the subjects you will study during the NC Childhood Practice course include:
- Planning for practice
- Planning for practice: Workplace experience
- Providing an inclusive curriculum in a childhood practice setting
- Protecting and promoting the rights of the child
- Sociology of childhood
- Child development
- Child development: Theory
- Services for children and young people
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Four passes at National 5, or equivalent, at C or above, one of which much be English; OR
- Successful completion of NC Childcare (Level 5) may also be considered
- Due to the number of internal candidates progressing to the next level of study, places on this course may be limited
- You will be required to enter the PVG scheme administered by Disclosure Scotland. This check will be carried out before undertaking work experience. Any applicant who has offences that may be recorded on a Disclosure Scotland check should discuss this with staff at interview
- You are required to provide one satisfactory reference which must be from either education or employment. We cannot accept references from family members.
Entry requirements equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Jobs and further study
Current government initiatives are in progress to increase the provision of numbers in the child care workforce. As a result this is an excellent time to begin your studies in helping meet this target. This course will help you begin your journey to qualify to the required standard for employment as a Child Development Officer in the future.
The course content will also equip you with knowledge of working with two Curriculum Frameworks to plan learning experiences for young children. This knowledge will once again improve employment opportunities as Government plans also include expansion of provision for children and families by increasing the volume of extended day care provision and hours.
Further study options include the following courses at Glasgow Clyde College:
- HNC Childhood Practice (subject to satisfactory references and NC practical training placement reports)
- HNC Additional Support Needs: Supporting the Individual
- SVQ Level 3 Social Services (Children and Young People)
- Employment as a Nursery Assistant within private or partnership childcare providers.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
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 attend a group information session where you will receive more information about the course and college. You will be required to complete a PVG application form provided by the college. Any applicant who has offences that may be recorded on a Disclosure Scotland check should discuss this with staff at interview. This will be followed by an individual interview when you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the course and/or college. You will be required to bring evidence of qualifications and an academic reference to interview. Interviews will take place from February.
- 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. If a place is unavailable at your campus of first choice, you may be offered a place at one of our other campuses and you must respond to this within the timescale above. 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, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.