Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice
- On this page
-
Description
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.
This diploma will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. The same programme of study is also offered as the Foundation Degree in Early Years (X01).
Fees and facts
Key facts
If your country isn’t listed here, visit our international prospectus.
|
Choose country above to see fee and ways to pay.
|
|
Flexible, part-time study through distance learning.
|
|
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.W01,qualification,,diploma_he,1 A Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. Dip HEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A Dip HE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level. You can use a DipHE to: - change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. |
| W01 |
Entry requirements
You must be:
- a current practitioner (paid or voluntary) with at least six months full-time or 12 months part-time experience of working with young children in a registered early years setting (or an experienced practitioner with at least three years full-time or five years part-time experience in a registered early years setting if you are following the With credit for prior experience pathway)
- over the age of 18 years at the date on which you begin studying for this qualification (or over 21 years old if you are following the With credit for prior experience pathway)
- working in a setting following a UK or Republic of Ireland curriculum and which uses English as the language of tuition.
While studying the core modules, you must be:
- working in a registered early years setting with young children aged from birth to seven years (pre-birth to three or Curriculum for Excellence – early level) in either a paid or voluntary capacity
- directly involved in activities to support young children’s care and learning for a minimum of five hours a week
- able to work with groups of three or more children on a regular basis.
You must have the agreement and support of your employer/supervisor before registering for this qualification.
Your employer must confirm their support for your study, verify your experience and whether you meet the pre-requisites to study the core modules by completing a Permission Agreement Form.
You and your employer are responsible for ensuring that:
- you meet the ‘fit person’ criteria required for the setting and country you are working in ( If you are in doubt about your eligibility, contact the relevant agency in your country for more information.)
- you obtain the necessary criminal record clearance.
If you are a Nanny/Foster Carer working with a child (birth to six years), you must be able to undertake 3–5 hours paid or voluntary work each week in a registered early years setting where you have access to groups of children and support from experienced professional colleagues. The home of a parent/foster carer or nanny is not – on its own – an acceptable setting.
If you meet these entry requirements and wish to apply for this qualification please email our Student Registration & Enquiry Service or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90.
Career relevance and employability
This diploma course has been endorsed and recognised by employers in the early childhood sector.
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.
Accreditation
This Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice is recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as an appropriate qualification for support workers and practitioners in day care of children services settings
Choose a pathway and register
Pathways allow you to specialise or choose particular topics that interest you. You will need to choose a pathway before registering.
You can choose from the standard pathway which is combined with APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) for practitioners that have extensive knowledge and practical competence gained through substantial professional experience.
or the pathway to claim credit for a recently awarded Scottish HNC.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for this qualification.
If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete this qualification. This may also mean that the next start date and the maximum time limit for this qualification are different to those shown above.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
On completion
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.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the following regulations:
These regulations are also available on our Essential Documents website.
If you have a disability
Choosing the qualification that’s right for you is very important. Depending on your disability, long-term health condition, mental health disability or specific learning difficulty, you may need to consider any challenges posed by:
- the learning objectives: for example, to gain an honours degree in a language you must be physically able to speak the language
- how the modules are taught: for example, some of our science qualifications require that you complete laboratory work
- any work-based competency requirements.
Choosing the right qualification can be a complex mix of the subject requirements and the support you may need. To help you assess whether the qualification you are interested in will work for you, further advice is available from:
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study for this qualification. For most OU qualifications a Microsoft Windows (new since 2007),
Apple Mac (OS X 10.6 or later) or Linux computer should be adequate. However, some qualifications require more specific IT equipment, in which case you
will need additional software to use an Apple Mac or Linux computer. A detailed technical specification for your modules will be made available when you
register. Please note, technical specifications do change over time to match computer developments and the way we teach.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities
we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move.
As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed
feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online
tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Share
This Page