S3/4 Early Learning and Childcare

S3 Early Learning and Childcare Course Overview

The Early Learning and Childcare sector is a growth industry across Scotland. There exists within the sector a wide range of employment opportunities at a variety of levels.

This Course provides an experiential route to candidates who wish to progress to further study in Early Learning and Childcare Courses. Learners will also be introduced to key knowledge and skills and develop positive attitudes that will allow them to progress onto care related courses, eg social care or into employment outwith the early learning and childcare sector.

The course in Early Learning and Childcare affords a broad link to the care, learning and development of children aged 0-16 years as specified in the National Occupation Standards relevant to both Children’s Care, Learning and Development, and Playwork. It is concerned with the holistic study of the child. The knowledge and experiences acquired in the areas of child development, play and working in the early education and childcare sector may be transferable to other academic or career pathways, particularly those which involve working with children or in other care settings.

Learners will be expected to keep a folio of evidence.

Unit 1 – Child Development

This Unit is designed to introduce learners to aspects of child development and the key milestones of development for children aged 0 – 16 years.

Unit 2 – Care and Feeding of Children

This unit enables learners to examine the specific needs of a baby and continuing needs of a child, and how meeting these needs contributes to the holistic development of the child. The unit also provides the learner with the opportunity to examine issues in relation to feeding of babies and the provision of food and drink to children and young people within Early Learning and Childcare settings. Learners will also develop an awareness of appropriate practice in relation to provision of hygiene for children.

S4 Early Learning and Childcare Course Overview

The Early Learning and Childcare sector is a growth industry across Scotland. There exists within the sector a wide range of employment opportunities at a variety of levels.

This Course provides an experiential route to candidates who wish to progress to further study in Early Learning and Childcare Courses. Learners will also be introduced to key knowledge and skills and develop positive attitudes that will allow them to progress onto care related courses, eg social care or into employment outwith the early learning and childcare sector.

The course in Early Learning and Childcare affords a broad link to the care, learning and development of children aged 0-16 years as specified in the National Occupation Standards relevant to both Children’s Care, Learning and Development, and Playwork. It is concerned with the holistic study of the child. The knowledge and experiences acquired in the areas of child development, play and working in the early education and childcare sector may be transferable to other academic or career pathways, particularly those which involve working with children or in other care settings.

Learners will be expected to keep a folio of evidence which will be used as part of their SQA course award.  As this is a Skills for Work Course pupils will receive a pass/fail at National 4 or 5 level on completion of the course.

Unit 1 – Play in Early Learning and Childcare

Within this unit learners will be learning about the different types of play and how they link to a child’s care, learning and development.  They will also need to consider the role of the adult within the play experience. Leaners will take part in a number of play experiences.  They will also be expected to plan, organise, carry out and evaluate a play experience.

Unit 2 – Development and Wellbeing of Children and Young People

This unit is a continuation of the Child Development unit studied in S3. Learners will be learning about the principles of wellbeing for children and young people.  They will also consider factors that affect a child’s wellbeing and how adults can support the wellbeing of children and young people.

Unit 3 – Working in Early Learning and Childcare

This unit allows the learner to develop an understanding of the Early Learning and Childcare sector and to explain ways in which the sector meets the care, learning and development needs of children and young people aged 0–16 years. Learners will consider career options within the sector and the skills, values, knowledge and qualifications required to fulfil these roles. They will reflect on their own skills, qualities, attitudes and achievements in relation to these. There is no requirement for learners to have a placement within an Early Learning and Childcare setting but the learner will carry out an investigation of the sector. This may require the learner to visit Early Learning and Childcare settings. Learners may work and be assessed in groups, as well as individually.