Shortlist
ReciteRecite

Childhood Practice - Evening: PDA (Level 9)

Glasgow Kelvin College students actively participating in class, guided by their lecturer through interactive discussions and activities.
Qualification Qualifications Explained
PDA
Study Mode
Evening
Duration

2 Years - 1 Evening p/w
Start date
Aug 2027
Campus
Easterhouse
Enquire Now

Course overview

⚠️ This course will run in August 2027, applications will open in January 2027

Lead with confidence and shape the future of early learning and childcare.

The PDA in Childhood Practice (SCQF Level 9) is designed for experienced practitioners looking to advance into senior leadership and management roles within the Early Learning and Childcare sector.

Delivered on a Wednesday evening (6–9pm), this part-time qualification supports learners already employed in the sector to balance professional development with their work and personal commitments. You’ll deepen your understanding of leadership, service development, equality, rights-based practice, and management of early years provision — equipping you to inspire teams and deliver high-quality, inclusive services for children and families.

This award meets the Benchmark Standards for Childhood Practice and the SSSC registration requirements for Lead Practitioner or Manager level. It forms the final stage of the PDA Childhood Practice pathway, offering a recognised alternative to a full degree route.

This course is ideal for:

  • Qualified practitioners registered with the SSSC at SCQF Level 7 or 8.
  • Experienced professionals seeking to progress to leadership or management roles.
  • Learners looking to formalise and extend their knowledge through Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPL).
  • Those who prefer flexible evening study while continuing to work in the childcare sector.

What you will learn

You’ll study eight advanced units at SCQF Level 9, gaining 120 SCQF credit points that focus on leadership, management, and rights-based practice within Childhood Practice settings.

Core Units

  • FD6X 36 – Childhood Practice: Leadership and Management
  • FD6Y 36 – Developing Services for Children and Young People
  • FD7D 36 – Childhood: Comparative Play Theories
  • FD70 36 – Children’s Rights: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • FD71 36 – Participatory Partnerships: Working with Families
  • FD72 36 – Leadership and Management (Workplace Practice)
  • FD73 36 – Developing a Rights-Based Approach to Service Delivery
  • FD75 36 – Early Learning

Each unit supports you to apply advanced theory to real workplace practice — building leadership confidence, reflective awareness, and management expertise.

🧩 This PDA contributes to a total of 360 SCQF credits across Levels 7–9 in the full Childhood Practice framework, offering a flexible route to graduate-level recognition.

Helen, PDA Childhood Practice student, speaking into a microphone during an interview at Glasgow Kelvin College.

Meet Helen – Progressing from NC to PDA (Level 8) 🌟

Helen has been part of the Glasgow Kelvin College community from HNC level right through to Degree level — and she’s continuing her professional development with our PDA Childhood Practice (Level 9) | Evening course.

Her journey is a great example of how flexible study options can support real progression in Early Learning and Childcare.

Inspiring progression. Flexible learning. Real career growth.

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

✅ You must hold a practitioner qualification in Early Learning and Childcare that allows SSSC registration at SCQF Level 7 or 8.

✅ Entry to this PDA is through Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPL) — applicants must evidence 240 SCQF credits at Levels 7 and 8.

✅ You must be working in, or have regular access to, a placement within a registered childcare or early years setting.

ℹ️ Funding Information:

You may be eligible to apply for a Part-Time Fee Grant (PTFG) from SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) for study at SCQF Levels 7–9. For details, visit the SAAS website or contact their support team directly.

🕕 Class Schedule:

Classes run Wednesday evenings, 6–9pm, allowing flexible study alongside employment.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this qualification can progress into senior and leadership roles such as:

🌟 Lead Practitioner

🏫 Nursery or Early Years Manager

👩‍🏫 Childhood Practice Leader

💡 Team Leader or Development Officer

These roles require professional registration with the SSSC at Lead Practitioner/Manager level.

Future prospects

This PDA can be used to progress toward:

  • BA Childhood Practice or BA Early Years
  • PDA Childhood Practice (Level 9) completion credits for degree entry

Both routes meet the SSSC registration requirements for managerial positions within the sector.

Other Courses You Might Consider

Find out about our Childcare and Early Education Department

Read What Our Students Said

Video Transcript – Helen: PDA Childhood Practice (Level 9)

Hi I'm Helen and I'm currently studying the PDA level 9 Childhood Practice at Glasgow Kelvin.

I chose Glasgow Kelvin because child care was always something I wanted to get involved in.

I started on the NC level six, I continued on to the HNC level 7 and from there I went on to do the level 8.

I chose to come back because the lecturer was one that i had previously worked with during my HNC. She's very supportive really encouraging it was actually her that encouraged me to go further.

Being a working parent, it just fits in my family life. There's not as much pressure. The course is a wee bit more flexible.

When I qualify in June, I'm looking to progress into a team leader position within the council. This course has allowed me to gain the knowledge and skills that I need for that position.

The advice I would give especially for working parents. Coming to college gives you all the skills and knowledge that you need to go into something that you're passionate about.

There's a lot of support available from the lecturers who will help you through the course. Being a working mum I'm actually glad that I did it. It's allowed me to do a job that I've always wanted to do but having children so young I never thought this was a possibility until I came to Glasgow Kelvin.

Studying at Kelvin has been a great decision, found it very supportive and I've actually never looked back since joining.

`