CHILDHOOD PRACTICE at University of West of Scotland

OVERVIEW

Our Graduate Diploma Childhood Practice is a part-time course for individuals who already hold a relevant degree in addition to a relevant practitioner qualification.

Our course is professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), this programme is ideally suited for employed SSSC registered practitioners who wish to become registered as lead practitioners/managers.

You will gain the skills and knowledge to deliver quality services to children and their parents in an early years setting. Your studies will include learning within childhood; leadership and management; and reflective practice and research.

You must be employed in, or have access to, an acceptable professional environment in which knowledge and understanding of childhood practice in Scotland has been developed.

You must be employed for more than 16 hours per week and have employer support and a mentor from your area of practice to support your studies.

COURSE DETAILS

The Grad Dip course consists of six core modules at SCQF Level 9.

All modules include ‘strategy projects’ undertaken in the workplace, which develop and enhance the links between theory and practice and involve critical reflection. There is also the opportunity for you to undertake research into a topic of special interest.

To achieve the Graduate Diploma you must complete six (20 credit) taught core modules as follows:

• Developing Integrated Working (core, 20 credits)
• Leadership and Management (core, 20 credits)
• Leading Learning (core, 20 credits)
• Promoting Learning (core, 20 credits)
• Qualitative Research Methods (core, 20 credits)
• Reflective Planning (core, 20 credits)

Teaching & Assessment

Learning approaches are based on extending your knowledge to support and enhance practice through analysis of critical incidents using problem-based learning. Learning and assessment is embedded in work related practice and builds upon your prior learning and existing knowledge to meet the regulatory requirements for lead practitioner employment. All modules include ‘strategy projects’ undertaken in the workplace, which develop and enhance the links between theory and practice and involve critical reflection. There is also the opportunity to undertake research into a topic of special interest.

TEACHING & LEARNING

The programme will be delivered using a variety of learning and teaching strategies and techniques including:

• Moodle (UWS’s virtual learning environment)
• interactive whiteboards
• on-line tutor and student led discussions

Lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem based learning, self-study packs, and work related learning

The learning and teaching strategies shall utilise problem solving approaches.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment strategies are designed to enhance the student’s engagement with the learning process. As such, criteria for assessment will reflect the aim of enhancing learning flexibility. Reflection remains an important tool for practice in the childcare sector and most assessments include an element of student reflection.

In all modules preparation for assessment is undertaken, success criteria are shared with students in advance of assessment and students are encouraged to engage with the criteria to inform their preparation for assessment. Feedback (oral and written) is provided by academic staff and or peers for the variety of formative tasks provided for almost all modules and summative assessments.

The assessment strategies developed for this programme aim to support the student in the process of learning and to develop the key skills of critical analysis, problem solving and synthesis. A variety of assessment methods will be utilised across the modules and will reflect the range and balance of teaching and learning e.g. exam, action research, presentation and essay.