James Watt College of Further & Higher Education

Education, Humanities, Science and Care

HNC in Early Education & Childcare

Academic Session 2010 - 2011

HNC Early Education and Childcare Course Handbook

1 James Watt College of Further & Higher Education

CONTENTS Welcome...... 3

Course Design...... 3 & 4

Course Units...... 5 - 11

Assessment Methods...... 12

Appeals’ Procedure...... 13

Learning Support; Certification...... 14

Facilities; H&S; Counselling and Guidance...... 15

Booklist...... 16

WELCOME A warm welcome is extended to you as you now commence the HNC in Early Education and Childcare, your selected programme of study. We hope you will have an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience during your period of study with us at the School of Education.

COURSE DESIGN HNC IN EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

The HNC in Early Education and Childcare at James Watt College of Further and Higher Education is composed of a range of units. They will be arranged appropriately to maximise student-centred learning and avoid assessment over-load.

U NI T N O . U NI T TI T L E C RE DI T S

DF47 34 Working in an Early Education and Childcare Setting (mandatory) 3

F3S4 34 Children and Young People’s Rights: Provision, Protection and 1 Participation (mandatory)

F3S9 34 Theoretical Approaches to Development and Learning (mandatory) 1

DF5E 34 Early Education and Childcare: Graded Unit (mandatory) 1

F3S3 34 Curriculum and Assessment in an Early Education and Childcare 1 Setting (specialist option)

DF54 34 Understanding and Supporting Children’s Behaviour 1

DF55 34 Children and Young People with Additional Support Needs 1

DG5D 35 Team Working in Care Settings 1

DF59 34 Working with Children 0 -3 Years *option 1 DF5A 34 Working with Children 3-5 Years *option 1 DF5C 34 Working with Children 5-8 Years *option 1

DE3R 34 Personal Development Planning 1

DF58 34 Promoting Language, Literacy and Numeracy in Early Education and 1 Childcare

The HNC in Early Education and Childcare is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop the relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for working in this field of employment. Accordingly, you will be allocated appropriate practical placements if you are not already in employment. Assessment of your competence in the workplace will be the joint responsibility of our placement supervisor and college tutor who will visit your placement.

The College will arrange a work placement for you, which you will attend for two days per week for the whole academic year. Attendance at college will normally be for two days per week. There will be one day allocated for research work and private study. This is the programme for full-time HNC students. However, students wishing to pursue the course through a more flexible approach can do so through the Open Learning Unit.

DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTS 1. Unit Title: WORKING IN AN EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE SETTING Unit No: DF4734 Credit Value: 3 HN Credits

General description of unit:

This is a progressive unit in which you will build up skills in working with children in a practical placement.

Outcomes:

- Analyse how learning takes place in an early education setting

- Demonstrate knowledge of how to plan, organise and implement development and learning opportunities

- Identify and demonstrate how appropriate skills are used to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment

- Evaluate your own contribution in creating a nurturing and professional service for children

2. Unit Title: CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S RIGHTS: PROVISION, PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION Unit No: F3S434 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

This unit investigates the laws and rights of children and young people in Scotland.

Outcomes:

- Analyse the values and principles that inform the promotion of children and young people

- Demonstrate an understanding of theories regarding encouraging and facilitating children’s participation

- Examine the role of the early years and childcare worker in supporting and protecting children and young people

3. Unit Title: THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING Unit No: F3S934 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will research and learn about the theories relating to the development and learning of children.

Outcomes:

- Analyse theories of children’s development and learning

- Investigate theories of play

4. UNIT TITLE: EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE: GRADED UNIT Unit No: F29034 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will undertake an investigation of some aspect of childcare producing a project which integrates knowledge they have gained in other units.

Outcomes:

- Develop an understanding of interdisciplinary connections between the various elements of the Higher National Certificate

- Develop an open-minded, critical and evaluative approach to study

- Demonstrate the ability to relate theory to practice

5. Unit Title: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT IN AN EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE SETTING Unit No: F3S334 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will be involved in a range of observational and assessment techniques which will enable them to understand how a curriculum contributes to a quality learning environment.

Outcomes:

- Explain how the curriculum supports a quality learning environment

- Evaluate the effectiveness of using a range of observational techniques in an early education and childcare setting

- Demonstrate ways in which a range of assessment techniques can enhance the practitioner’s understanding of children’s needs

6. Unit Title: UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOUR Unit No: DF5434 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will investigate children’s behaviour and the factors which influence this.

Outcomes:

- Identify and explain factors that influence behaviour

- Analyse and evaluate a range of strategies in the support of behaviour

- Investigate causes for concern and additional support needs

- Demonstrate an awareness of the roles of other professionals and the strategies they use in the support of behaviour

7. Unit Title: CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS Unit No: DF5534 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will learn about conditions experienced by children and young people and about the agencies available to support them.

Outcomes:

- Investigate the meaning of the term “additional support needs”

- Investigate a range of disabilities which may require the provision of additional support

- Assess the additional support required by children and young people experiencing a range of additional support needs

8. Unit Title: WORKING WITH CHILDREN 0-3 YEARS Unit No: DF5934 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will gain an understanding of the implications of working with very young children.

Outcomes: - Explain theories of the importance of developing nurturing relationships between young children and significant adults

- Analyse and evaluate different approaches to responsive play

- Plan, implement and evaluate opportunities for the development of nurturing relationships

- Plan, implement and evaluate activities to promote all aspects of young children’s development and learning

9. Unit Title: WORKING WITH CHILDREN 3 - 5 YEARS Unit No: DF5A34 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will gain an understanding of the implications of working with young children and the knowledge and skills required.

Outcomes:

- Explain theories of the importance of developing nurturing relationships between young children and significant adults

- Analyse and evaluate benefits of play to the development and learning of children aged 3 - 5

- Evaluate the impact of a variety of approaches to the promotion of a positive learning environment for children aged 3 – 5

- Plan, implement and evaluate a range of effective play opportunities to promote all aspects of young children’s development and learning

10. Unit Title: WORKING WITH CHILDREN 5-8 YEARS Unit No: DF5C34 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will gain an understanding of the implications of working with children aged 5-8 years, and to gain the knowledge and skills required to promote their development, including those for whom additional support is required.

Outcomes: - Investigate theories of development for children aged 5-8

- Understand the value of play to the development of children aged 5-8

- Explore and evaluate the adult role in engaging with children aged 5-8, and promoting positive interaction with their peer group

- Plan, implement and evaluate play opportunities and experiences, which promote all aspects of development and learning for children aged 5-8 9 James Watt College of Further & Higher Education

11. Unit Title: TEAM WORKING IN CARE SETTINGS Unit No: DG5D34 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will achieve an understanding of effective team working and evaluate their practice.

Outcomes: - Evaluate team effectiveness in accordance with factors that contribute to good team working

- Analyse how effective interpersonal skills and dynamics contribute to group and team work

- Evaluate the contribution of performance review and the associated goal setting to the success of any organisation

12. Unit Title: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING Unit No: DE3R34 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will learn to take responsibility for their own learning and development.

Outcomes: - Create and maintain a personal development portfolio and a personal action plan

- Implement his/her personal action plan

- Monitor and evaluate the plan and its implementation

13. Unit Title: PROMOTING LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY IN EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE Unit No: DF5834 Credit Value: 1 HN Credit

Students will gain skills and strategies necessary to facilitate children’s development in language, literacy and numeracy in an early education and childcare setting.

Outcomes:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in becoming literate and numerate

- Describe the role of the adult in terms of the development of language, literacy and numeracy

- Evaluate materials and practice that foster literacy and numeracy

COURSE ASSESSMENT

The HNC Early Education and Childcare course is assessed continuously. This means that there are no final exams at the end of the year. Instead, each unit includes various types of assessment in an ongoing way. At the beginning of each Unit your lecturer will indicate what has to be done to achieve the unit.

The Graded Unit requires the student to undertake a research project which will incorporate various subjects studied.

You are normally allowed two attempts at any given assessment.

It is very important that you submit your assessments by the submission date given, otherwise you will ‘lose’ one of your two attempts.

Any student who feels that his/her performance in any final assessment has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond his/her control must inform the course leader in writing, of the nature of these circumstances, enclosing where relevant, a medical certificate. This must be done within seven days of the date of the last assessment. The College will take no account of circumstances if notification of these special factors is longer than seven days after the date of last assessment course work submission.

All course work must be submitted on time. Where an extension is sought for good reason, the agreement of the relevant lecturer must be obtained before the due date.

APPEALS’ PROCEDURE

In order to ensure objectivity in assessments, all assessment instruments will be moderated by the appropriate internal verification team. Students’ assessments will be marked by the lecturer, though a sample will be examined by the External Verifier. It may be, although it is unlikely, that you feel that we have got our decision on your work wrong. In that event, you can make an appeal. Fuller details can be provided by the Course Leader.

COURSE TEAM LEADERS

Finnart Street Campus: Liz Macaulay Ext: 2448 North Ayrshire Campus: Margaret Macdonald Ext: 3113

ATTENDANCE

It is expected of students that they attend classes regularly and that absences are explained to the relevant members of staff and the Course Leader with medical certificates being provided where appropriate.

It should be remembered that course progress is directly linked to course attendance.

The College, in the case of a contract course with eg: a local authority, will be expected to provide regular progress and attendance reports.

LEARNING SUPPORT

The College operates a policy of integration which ensures that whenever possible, students with learning difficulties are fully integrated throughout the College. Extended Learning Support is a service provided by the College for students undertaking a mainstream course of study and who, as a result of disability or special learning difficulty eg: dyslexia, deafness or visual loss, may require extra support measures to ensure the successful completion of their chosen course. The type of support which is available is wide and varied. Support measures can include guidance, counselling, scribing, escort assistance, specialist equipment/technology etc.

Each Faculty in College has a member of staff who is a co-ordinator for extended learning support within their Faculty. Students should, in the first instance, contact their Faculty Learning Support Co-ordinator who will give the initial support which is required. All enquiries are dealt with in strictest confidence and in a sympathetic manner.

COURSE BOOKS

Details of books which will be required to support you in your course are included in this course handbook. However, course tutors will provide additional information in respect of websites and other literature.

CERTIFICATION

The Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) is the awarding body for your award. As well as overseeing the assessment process, SQA will issue candidates with a Record of Achievement and Group Award Certificate after completion of the course.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The College Community Learning Centre contains text books, journals, audio visual resources and other reference materials accessible by all students. In addition a Flexible Learning Centre is available in the library consisting of personal computers, audio and video playback facilities and CD ROM facilities. The Centre participates in inter library loan service and has access to the ANBAR abstract service.

All Faculties have access to a large, lecture theatre with OHP and video facilities. Standard classrooms are bright and equipped with desks, chairs, chalk or white boards. All floors have access to audio/visual equipment.

The College also has a computing access centre which has an extensive range of hard and software available to students on a book-in basis. This service is free or on payment of a small fee depending on your circumstances.

HEALTH AND SAFETY ARRANGEMENT

Special arrangement, in the event of evacuation is part of the College’s Health and Safety Policy. Any student who is physically disabled, deaf or who has a visual loss should be fully aware of the evacuation procedures.

COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE

The College has a well established Guidance Structure. On full-time programmes, you will have a Year or Guidance Tutor who will provide guidance, pastoral care and career advice. If you have any problems of an academic or personal nature, you should discuss them with this Tutor. The Course Leader will discuss with you, your progress through the course and deal with any problems referred to him/her by your Year or Guidance Tutor.

Outwith the Faculty, you can access the Director of Student Information and Student Services Officer. You can find information on all Student Services in your College Handbook. The College wishes to ensure that your time here is purposeful and enjoyable and you can be assured of sensitivity and confidentiality if you have any problems to discuss with us.

RECOMMENDED BOOKLIST

We will refer to all books used on the NC Early Education and Childcare Course.

If you do not already own these books, copies are available for use in College.

The books we will refer to are:

1 Early Years Child Care Education: Key Issues 2nd Edition Maureen O’Hagan & Maureen Smith Pub. Bailliere Tindall ISBN 0-7020-2373-6

2 An Introduction to Child Development 2nd Edition G.C. Davenport Pub. Collins ISBN 0-00-322355-8

3 Child Care & Education 3rd Edition Tina Bruce & Carolyn Meggit Pub. Hodder & Stoughton ISBN 0-340-84628-3

4 Understanding Children’s Challenging Behaviour ISBN 0-7487-3971-8 Penny Mukherji (2001) Pub. Nelson Thornes

5 Managing Children’s Behaviour ISBN 0-435-45532-X Sheila Riddall-Leech (2003) Pub. Heinemann