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Early Years Professional Leadership for England HNC

Course details
  • HNC
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Hereford Campus
Awarded by:
Pearson Education Ltd

Course summary

This course will be based at Herefordshire College, Folly Lane Campus.

The aim of the Higher Nationals in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the early education and care sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. It offers an in-depth introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, while allowing for the acquisition of specific knowledge, skills and experience thorough the education specialist pathway. The qualification provides underpinning knowledge as well as developing practical skills in preparation for work and possible study and progression to level 5 HND.

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners and work-based learning tutors all with industry experience.

HND Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) or employment opportunities in Social and community care support roles in statutory and other community-based early education and care and children and young people’s residential care settings, Family Support Worker, Early Years Intervention Support Worker. Early years settings

Modules

Popular modules

Year 1

Students will study 8 mandatory units :

Unit 1: Personal and Professional Development through Reflective Practice

Unit 2: Protecting Children in Early Education and Care Environments

Unit 3: Play and Learning in Early Childhood

Unit 4: Supporting and Promoting Children’s Development (Babies and Toddlers)

Unit 5: Supporting and Promoting Children’s Development (Young Children)

Unit 6: Promoting Healthy Living

Unit 7: Preparing for Research

Unit 8: Promoting Inclusive Early Education and Care Environments

Assessment method

Students will be required to complete coursework as they progress through the programme and undertake assessments at the end of each semester. The assessment of Pearson Higher National qualifications is criterion-referenced and we are required to assess learners’ evidence against published learning outcomes and assessment criteria. All units will be individually graded as ‘pass’, ‘merit’ or ‘distinction’. To achieve a pass grade for the unit learners must meet the assessment criteria set out in the specifications. Merit and distinction grades are awarded for higher-level achievement. Students must complete and pass all taught units over the 2 year programme in order to achieve the full HND qualification.Placement Requirements

In addition to attending timetabled sessions at college; you are also required to undertake 375 hours’ work placement or experience in early education and/or care settings over the duration of Year 1 of the programme culminating in 525 hours by the end of year 2

A minimum of two different settings is required for students volunteering in early education and/or care settings. For students employed in early education and/or care settings the opportunity to spend 25 hours with a different age range will be required.

Assessment methods include practice-based observations and written assessments including reports, analytical essays, logs, presentations and seminars. All students will also complete a Practical and Reflective Evidence Portfolio (PREP) to reflect placement experience.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CH04
Institution code:
H01
Campus name:
Hereford Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

The College considers all applications on an individual basis which means that we could make offers based on qualifications, personal profile and experience.

Four GCSEs at grade C or above including GCSE English Language at C or above (or recognised equivalency). Evidence of Level 2 Literacy is required, for example Key Skills Level 2 or GCSE English Language at C or above or equivalent. If you do not have evidence of Literacy at Level 2, it will be necessary to complete a non-standard entry essay to demonstrate competence in written English. Maths GCSE at grade C or above (or recognised equivalency) is desirable.

A minimum of one A Level or a Level 3 qualification equivalent to three or above A Levels, for example the CACHE Diploma or EdExcel BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. The current UCAS tariff requirements for entry are 32 UCAS points.

In addition to this, practitioners who do not hold the qualifications outlined above will be considered on the basis of prior professional experience and related learning.

The following are required for both standard and nonstandard entry:

A statement of support from your current employer to provide the time, opportunity and support for work-based requirements and release to attend university-based study.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£5995Year 1
Northern Ireland£5995Year 1
Scotland£5995Year 1
Wales£5995Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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