The first few years of children’s lives are crucial to their development and opportunities in later life – and the adults who work with them are ideally placed to make a difference. If you’re looking to extend your expertise as an early years practitioner and working in Scotland, this diploma course will help you build on your knowledge and skills. It is suitable for experienced practitioners working with young children in a wide range of early years settings (such as nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres), including home-based carers and classroom/teaching assistants specialising in early years. It will build on your knowledge of children’s development and learning, as well as developing your understanding of policies and practice in early years settings. You’ll also learn professional and practical skills like planning, assessment and teamwork. The Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice also prepares you to engage with further study, enquiry and practice.
Registration is not yet open for this qualification. For an autumn 2012 start, registration opens on 27 March 2012. If you would like to register your interest, you can order our free guide to studying in 2012.
This diploma course has been endorsed and recognised by employers in the early years sector, and is recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council as an appropriate qualification for support workers and practitioners in day care of children services.
The Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice may also be helpful if you’re interested in further training as an Early Years Teacher. You’ll need to check with your training provider about their entry policy for ITT programmes – please note that the OU doesn’t offer teacher training for this age range. For more information see our careers advisory booklet Becoming a Teacher and visit the Teach in Scotland website.
There’s more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Further details will be available when registration opens for this qualification.
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice and will be entitled to use the letters Dip HE (Open) after your name.
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth, Education and Health and Social Care.
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