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The aim of the Higher Nationals in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the early education and care sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. It offers an in-depth introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, while allowing for the acquisition of specific knowledge, skills and experience thorough the education specialist pathway.
Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by Higher Education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant Early Childhood Education and Care degree programmes in subject specialisms such as:
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) in Early Education and Care
• BA/BSc (Hons) in Child Psychology • BA (Hons) in Child and Family Studies
• BA/BSc (Hons) Child Health and Wellbeing
• BA (Hons) in Child and Youth Studies
• BA (Hons) in Primary Education
The skills offered as part of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma can provide graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the early education and care sector. For example:
Advanced Practitioner in nursery and pre-school settings,
Advanced Practitioner in nursery and pre-school settings, Trainee Teacher/Classroom Assistant
Manager/Deputy Manager in nursery and pre-school settings, Nursery Owner, Childminder, other leadership and management roles in a range of early childhood environments
Students will study 4 mandatory units
Unit 9 Investigating Childhood: Action Research for Early Childhood Practitioners
Unit 10 Improving Quality in Children’s Early Education and Care Environments.
Unit 14 Impact of Curriculum on Early Childhood Education and Care
Unit 29 Innovative Approaches to Children’s Play and Learning in Practice
Plus 2 additional units
Unit 23 Managing and Leading People in Children’s Early Education and Care Environments
Unit 27 Outdoor Play and Learning
Level:
5
Attendance:
Full-Time: (one day per week, plus 2 days per week for work based placement)
Students will be required to complete coursework as they progress through the programme and undertake assessments at the end of each semester. The assessment of Pearson Higher National qualifications is criterion-referenced and we are required to assess learners’ evidence against published learning outcomes and assessment criteria. All units will be individually graded as ‘pass’, ‘merit’ or ‘distinction’. To achieve a pass grade for the unit learners must meet the assessment criteria set out in the specifications. Merit and distinction grades are awarded for higher-level achievement. Students must complete and pass all taught units over the 2 year programme in order to achieve the full HND qualification.
Placement Requirements
In addition to attending timetabled sessions at college; you are also required to undertake 150 hours’ work placement or experience in early education and/or care settings over the duration of the 2nd year of the programme culminating in 525 hours by the end of year 2
A minimum of two different settings is required for students volunteering in early education and/or care settings. For students employed in early education and/or care settings the opportunity to spend 25 hours with a different age range will be required.
