Child Development offers students the opportunity to gain a broad depth of knowledge and understanding about the development of an unborn child from conception to birth. Students will be given the opportunity to find out how the expectant mother is cared for during pregnancy, labour, birth and afterwards.

The course covers all aspects of caring for babies and young children up to the age of five years. This includes studying their physical, intellectual, social and emotional development and the responsibilities that parents have in bringing up children.

In addition to this, Child Development, GCSE can also provide a foundation for progression to further Health and Social Care studies, and provide progression for students who have studied the Entry Level Certificate in Child Development.

Curriculum Content to follow

About the Course

This qualification is for pupils aged 13-16 who wish to develop applied knowledge and practical skills in Child Development.  It is designed with both practical and theoretical elements, which will prepare students for further education.  It would be beneficial for students to have easy and regular access to a child that will be under the age of 5 by the time the pupil is at the end of Year 10.  The child can be a brother /sister, neighbor, family friend or any other family member.

 All pupils will study three mandatory topics as follows:

• Health and well-being for child development.

• Understand the equipment and nutritional needs of children from birth to five years.

• Understand the development norms of a child from birth to five years.

Assessment

Learners will complete three mandatory units (one externally assessed and two internally assessed and then moderated by the exam board)  spread across 180 guided learning hours.

Exam Board: OCR

Course length: 3 years, 3 units

RO18:   Health and well-being for child development
Written paper
OCR-set and marked
1 hour and 15 minutes

80 marks

RO19:   Understand the equipment and nutritional needs
of children from birth to five years.
Centre assessed tasks
OCR moderated
Approx. 7—10 hours—60 marks

RO20:  Understand the development of a child from birth
to five years.

Centre assessed task

OCR Moderated
Approx. 7—10 hours—60 marks

Progression

This course will also offer a progressive route through to A Levels, Technical Certificates, Technical Levels and BTEC Level 3 National Diplomas.

Progression may also be achieved through study on any child centred course, e.g. diploma in children’s care, learning and development

The level of diploma studied will depend on the grade achieved at GCSE level.

POST 16 Subject specific entry requirements to study Child related subjects.

Christ the King

• BTEC Level 3 in Health and Social Care – 5 GCSE grades 4 or above (BTEC Merit or above)

Southport College

• Level 2 —3 GCSEs at grade 6 or equivalent including English Language and Maths.

• Level 3 Extended Diploma—5 GCSE grades 9—4 including English Language and Maths or equivalent.

KGV

• BTEC Health and Social Care—5 GCSEs at grade 4 including English or Maths at grade 4.