Program Overview

Early Childhood Education and Care HTQ

Course Overview

This course aims to equip you with the early education and care practice skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary to achieve high performance in the global early education and care environment.

Why You Should Study This Course

• Weave research and theory with day-to-day experience of working as an early year’s practitioner.
• Improve your reflective practice and leadership skills.
• Develop a culture of inclusion and excellence in early years settings.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

The course is being delivered under the Intellectual Property License of Pearson Education Limited.

This course is approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education as meeting the standards of Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ).

What You'll Study

Year One

• Using Research to Promote Inclusive Early Childhood Environments - 30 credits
• Professional Development and Protecting Children in Early Childhood Environments - 30 credits
• Promoting and Supporting Children’s Development - 30 credits
• Play, Learning and Promoting Health Living - 30 credits
• Year 1 Placement Module (0 credits) compulsory Placement

Year Two

• Investigating Childhood: Action Research for Early Childhood Practitioners - 30 credits
• Managing and Leading People in Early Education and Care - 30 credits
• Managing and Improving Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care Environments - 30 credits
• Innovative Approaches to Children’s Play and Learning in Practice - 30 credits
• Year 2 Placement Module (0 credits) compulsory Placement

How You'll Learn

We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:

• on-campus classroom instruction
• practical sessions and peer interaction
• online learning
• placements
• self-directed learning.

Entry Requirements

• UK: 80 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
• International: 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Fees and Funding

• UK: TBC per year
• International: TBC per year

Facilities

Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium and includes:

• indoor social spaces, including a café
• a library that includes loan laptops and a silent study area
• open-access computers
• student support and careers advice teams.

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have a solid grounding in early education and care practice.

You should develop a sound understanding of the principles in your field of study and learn how to apply these principles more widely.

Completion of this HND course could open up early education and care practice career pathways in:

• education
• leadership and management
• social and community care practice.

This qualification is confirmed by the Department for Education as a full and relevant Early Years Educator qualification and gives access to a range of employment opportunities in the sector.

You could find yourself working as a:

• advanced practitioner in nursery and preschool settings
• classroom assistant
• manager or deputy manager in nursery and preschool settings
• nursery owner
• childminder
• social and community care support worker.

With additional training, you could find specialist roles in local authorities and community based organisations such as:

• Special Education Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO)
• Safeguarding Lead
• Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND).

Further Study

Successful Completion of this course enables progression routes to the final stage of a degree in:

• BA (Hons) Primary Education and Teaching Studies
• BA (Hons) Public Health and Community Studies

How to Apply

UK students: Apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU Scarborough directly.

International students: Apply directly to CU Scarborough directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Disclaimers

• The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study.
• The University will review tuition fees each year.
• For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes.
• For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
• If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
• Facilities are subject to availability.
• Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
• Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required.
• As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status.
• The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s).
• Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion.
• The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.
• By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university.
• A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake.
• The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you.
• You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.