Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Education)

Delivered with a flexible model such as afternoon and evening classes enabling students to work whilst they study while still being able to apply for a full-time student loan through student finance.

Entry requirements/criteria: You will need a minimum of 48 UCAS points from either a Level 3 course such as A/AS Level or an Extended Diploma or equivalent qualification such as an NVQ Level 3 or relevant industry experience. You will require good written skills and ability to manage assignments and work placement. It would be advantageous to have a passion for working in an Early Years setting or related work and willingness to want to develop practice.

Students who are non-native English speakers and who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, will need to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or PTE 51 or IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent.

Core Units - Year 1:

• Personal and Professional Development through Reflective Practice
• Protecting Children in Early Education and Care Environments
• Play and Learning in Early Childhood
• Supporting and Promoting Children's Development (Babies and Toddlers)
• Supporting and Promoting Children's Development (Young Children)
• Promoting Healthy Living
• Preparing for Research
• Promoting Inclusive Early Education and Care Environments

Core Units - Year 2: (Education Pathway) 

• Investigating Childhood: Action Research for Early Childhood Practitioners
• Improving Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care Environments  
• Impact of Curriculum on Early Childhood Education and Care
• Innovative Approaches to Children's Play and Learning in Practice
• Plus an additional 30 credits which are selected from a range of specialist and optional units.

Information about the composition of the programme: At Level 4, students develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the early education and care sector through eight core units. At Level 5, students will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learnt to apply those principles more widely. They will have learnt to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

Methods of assessment of the programme: A range of real or simulated assessment activities are used, for example, group work where appropriate, to encourage development of collaborative and interpersonal skills or a solution focused case study to provide the opportunity to develop cognitive skills. Placement /workplace assessments are also carried out across the age ranges by supervisors in the work place and tutors. The student will need to achieve 525 cumulative hours' work placement or experience in early education and/care settings over the two-year period of the qualification. The mandatory elements of work placement/experience are as follows.

A minimum of two different settings is required and a minimum of 75 practice hours with each of the following age ranges:

• From birth to 1 year, 11 months
• From 2 years to 4 years, 11 months
• 5 years to 7 years, 11 months.

If a student undertakes work placement/experience in two settings only, at least one of these settings must enable the student to meet the practice hours requirements for at least two of the age ranges specified above.

The award obtained upon successful completion of the programme: Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Education)

Location of study: Bexhill College, Penland Road

Length of programme: 2 years

Programme regulation: Pearson

Programme accreditation: Pearson

Total course costs: £5,300 per year

We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of units on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. We will inform applicants of any changes to the course structure before enrolment.