Early Years

Are you passionate about continuing your professional learning journey and aspire to continue to positively impact children in their early years, our PDA Level 8 course is the ideal course for you. This qualification is nationally recognised and is designed to support your professional development to further enhance your practice.

This course will provide an opportunity to engage in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and will support you in meeting regulatory requirements for learning and training as set by Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Within the course we will provide information that supports you in staying up to date with the latest research and best practices locally, nationally, and internationally.  As well as further developing your understanding of legislation, theory, documentation, and the Pedagogy or the WHY behind your everyday practice.

For entry to this course you will need a Practitioner qualification as required by SSSC such as:

• HNC Childhood Practice
• SVQ Playwork (SCQF Level 7)
• SVQ Social Services: Children & Young People (SCQF Level 7)
• You must have a minimum of 2 years experience within the Early Learning and Childcare sector,
• You must also be employed within the Early Learning and Childcare sector.

Your place of employment will be your placement, You must have your employers support as they may be asked to provide a letter of support for you.

Within this course there are five SQA units which are:

• Childhood Practice: Enhanced Professional Practice
• Childhood Practice: Leadership and Team Working
• Childhood Practice: Integrated Working and Collaborative Practice
• Childhood Practice: Policy to Practice
• Childhood Practice: Pedagogical Approaches

As well as incorporating Peep Facilitator training too. This is a unique addition within the course and is in collaboration with Peeple.

Lessons will be delivered through online learning opportunities. Assessments will be academic essay and reports, a Research Project and Pedagogical Journal.

If you choose to continue your learning Journey after completing this qualification you can apply for further courses such as:

• HND Childhood Practice – Level 8
• PDA Childhood Practice – Leadership & Management Level 9
• BA Childhood Practice

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the recent changes in the Early Years sector? Would you like to update your knowledge and feel confident with the introduction of new legislation such as the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2109, enacted 1^st April, 2024, updated documentation such as SSSC Codes of Practice and National Induction Resource and many more.

Continuing our professional development is vital and this professional qualification supports further developing your skills, knowledge and practice required for your role. Our course offers opportunities to meet with other professionals, share experiences and stay up to date with sector developments, initiatives, legislation, documentation and theory as well as supporting skills development with our Peep Facilitator training embedded. Embedding Peep Facilitator training within the PDA Plus course is unique to Ayrshire College.