Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision
PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice (online and on campus options)
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 9
Study mode Evening
Start date
Jan 2025
Course enquiry form
Course overview
Our 2024/25 intake is now full. To be added to the waiting list for the next intake, or to check your credits to meet the entry requirements contact jacqueline.vural@edinburghcollege.ac.uk. We will have an online information evening about the course in February 2025.
The PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice is a qualification designed for lead practitioners and managers of childcare and playwork settings. This qualification is equivalent to a university degree and is accepted by the SSSC for registration as lead practitioner/manager.
The course focuses on management and leadership in the childhood practice sector and covers relevant topics from a management perspective. Students are encouraged to take part in research and to investigate and review contemporary theories.
If you have social work, community education, and nursing qualifications, we can offer the 60 credits of Management and Leadership required by the SSSC.
The course begins with a short mandatory introductory block in academic writing, to ensure students are prepared for studying and assessments at this level. This runs from October to December 2024, with the PDA Level 9 units beginning in January 2025.
You may be able to access funding for course fees from your local authority workforce development fund or receive a proportion from the SAAS part-time fee grant. Course fees are payable at the start of each year (2-year course).
To register your interest in the 2024/25 intake, please contact, jacqueline.vural@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
What you will learn
- The course is based on the Standard for Childhood Practice (SSSC).
- There is a focus on management and leadership from the start, and this underpins all units.
- Students study a unit based on their area of specialism - we currently offer options in early learning, pre-birth to three, and playwork.
- Other units cover topics such as children's rights, inclusion, diversity, comparative play theories, and collaborative working with colleagues and other professionals.
- The course includes a research project into an area of interest to identify potential areas for change and development.
- The final unit offers students the opportunity to develop an organisational operational plan based on the knowledge they have gained during the course.
Placement information
- Applicants should be working in a senior or lead practitioner role in a childhood practice setting.
- A five-day placement in a different setting is required when you will shadow the manager to observe practice.
How the course is assessed
- The course will take place over two academic years and will include a range of different learning opportunities and tutorial sessions including online learning, research, and discussion groups; all with full support from our experienced staff.
Number of days per week
- One evening per week - Thursday 6.30 PM - 8.30 PM
- A blended learning approach one evening per month on campus (Sighthill) and the other classes as live online MS Teams sessions.
- Applicants who live too far from Edinburgh to attend the on-campus sessions can attend all classes on Teams.
- 2 year course
Entry requirements
- You must have 240 credits at SCQF levels 7 and 8 in relevant subjects to gain entry to this course. This should include an award accepted by the SSSC to register as a practitioner (eg HNC or SVQ 3). Contact us for advice on this, we have a range of options for gaining additional credits if required.
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
- You must complete an application pack which is available from jacqueline.vural@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
English Proficiency Requirements
To enable our students the best opportunity of achieving this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an existing English language certificate at IELTS Level 6 or equivalent. Alternatively, additional language applicants will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at College. There will be a cost of £20 for this test unless you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Disability Benefit or Income Support or if you are an asylum seeker or refugee. English proficiency at IELTS Level 6 or equivalent is a course requirement. If you would like any more information on this please contact Angie.thomson@edinburghcollege.ac.ukProgression and Articulation Routes
- Postgraduate study in a related field
Career options
- Register with the SSSC at a lead practitioner/manager level
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Evening | 09/01/25 |
