Early Childhood Education and Care - Level 4 HNC

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Part-time
Start date: 19th September 2023
End date: 5th June 2025
Day: Tue
Time: 14:00-21:00

Course fee: To be confirmed

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The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Early Childhood Education and Care offers students 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 through specialist pathways and the selection of optional units across a range of occupationally-relevant subjects at Level 5. Students will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in evidence-based practice, personal research, self-study, directed study and work-integrated learning and experience. Graduates successfully completing the Pearson HNC in Early Childhood Education and Care will be able to top up to a Higher National Diploma (HND) which will take a further year of study.

HNC/D Core units

• Unit 1: Personal and Professional Development through Reflective Practice
• Unit 2: Protecting Children in Early Education and Care Environments
• Unit 3: Play and Learning in Early Childhood
• Unit 4: Supporting and Promoting Children's Development (Babies and Toddlers)
• Unit 5: Supporting and Promoting Children's Development (Young Children)
• Unit 6: Promoting Healthy Living
• Unit 7: Preparing for Research
• Unit 8: Promoting Inclusive Early Education and Care Environments.

Work placement requirements

A minimum requirement of 375 hours’ work placement or experience in early education and/or care settings. The mandatory elements of work placement/experience are as follows. A minimum of two different settings is required in the following age ranges:

• From birth to one year, 11 months
• From two years to four years, 11 months
• Five years to seven years, 11 months.

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Special Features

This course will be delivered through blended learning.

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Assessment Methods

The Practical and Reflective Evidence Portfolio (PREP)

Work experience is fundamental in the development of effective professional practice, learning and progression in this sector, therefore the assessment of learning on, or through, work placement/experience is an essential requirement of this qualification.

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Course Update

Please note that due to ongoing major campus construction projects courses at Ballymena, Coleraine and Ballymoney may be relocated to alternative suitable locations as required.

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• A BTEC Level 3 Early Years (or related subject) qualification
• A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C in subjects such as maths and English
• Other related Level 3 qualifications
• An Access to Higher Education Diploma awarded by an approved further education institution
• An international equivalent of the above.
• Satisfactory Access NI check

In the event of oversubscription, the College reserves the right to increase the entry criteria for this programme to GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above in preference to Essential Skills or lower graded GCSEs. Applicants will still be reviewed in date order and by order of preference.

Where mature students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions by 12th August, as an application deadline will apply. It is at the College's discretion to consider APEL enquiries after the dates stated.

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The Level 4 HNC provides a solid grounding in early education and care practice, which students can build on should they decide to continue their studies to Level 5 HND.

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma allows students to progress onto:

• 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

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