Back to all courses

Access to Early Learning and Childcare

  • Qualifications National Qualifications
  • SCQF Level SCQF Level 4
  • Study mode
  • Campus Ayr, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning
  • Start date January 2027
  • Duration 18 weeks or less

Attendance/Duration

Short full-time

Overview

Are you interested in learning the skills to provide high quality care and education for children? This Access course is designed to support your first steps towards a career in Early Years. Running from January to June, this is a fast-track course delivered over an 18-week period.

Entry Requirements

For entry to this course, you’ll need:

  • A real interest in children’s learning and development
  • A relevant course at SCQF Level 3
  • An interview with us

Even if you think that you don’t have the meet the entry requirements but can show life skills and a real commitment to study and are passionate about starting your journey to a career in childcare, please apply and we can discuss how we can support you.

Course Content

This course includes both hands-on practical experiences and essential theory.

Here's just some of what you may learn:

  • An introduction to child development, learning about the key milestones
  • How to plan a range of different play experiences for children
  • Find out about the role of Early Years practitioner and the range of childcare settings
  • Learn how to maintain a safe environment for children

Careers and Further Study

This course is an access course to help you to begin to understand the role of an Early years practitioner

Skills

  • Meta Skills: you will develop the meta skills of Focusing and Feelings.
  • Transferrable Skills: you will develop your ICT and Digital Skills.
  • Technical Skills: you will develop your self-confidence and ability to work with others.