The intent of our Child Development curriculum is:
To fully engage learners who wish to develop their applied knowledge and practical skills in child development.
The course is designed to cover practical and theoretical elements, both of which will prepare students for further qualifications in Child Care, Health and Social Care, Psychology, Sociology and Biology.
Our Child Development Curriculum is implemented by:
Teaching three key topic areas of study:
1. The first topic of study underpins the exam learning in this qualification.
Students will develop the essential knowledge and understanding in child development, covering reproduction, parental responsibility, antenatal care, birth, postnatal checks, postnatal provision, conditions for development, childhood illnesses and child safety. Knowledge gained would be of use for further studies in PHSE, Biology and other child development qualifications.
2. In the second topic of study, students will gain knowledge of the equipment needs of babies and young children and an understanding of the factors to be considered when choosing appropriate equipment to meet these needs.
This topic also covers nutrition and hygiene practices and students will be given the opportunity to investigate feeding solutions, comparing these to nutritional requirements and evaluating the outcomes. Evaluation skills are developed, which would be of use in further studies in a number of areas. This is a class based, coursework topic.
3. In the third topic of study, students will gain an understanding of the development norms from birth to five years and the stages and benefits of play.
Students will gain knowledge of, and skills in, developing activities to observe development norms in children up to the age of five. This topic will include researching, planning and carrying out activities with a child and observing and evaluating these activities, as well as comparing the child to the expected development norms. Researching, planning, observing and evaluating skills would be useful in further studies as these are transferable skills and could be applied to many subject areas. This is a class based, coursework topic.
The impact of our Child Development curriculum is that students develop:
A broad and deep knowledge and understanding of all aspects of child development.
An understanding of the importance of responsibility and the true meaning of parenthood, assisting development of a child as a whole person.
An appreciation that our curriculum covers some sensitive topics and mature content, allowing students to understand the complexity of childhood and respect the science behind the creation of life. It is our hope that students develop in maturity sooner than many of their peers and find a passion for inspiring young people, after having more understanding about what really goes into the conception, creation and nurturing of a young person.
Key Stage 4 Assessment
GCSE Exam Board: OCR Cambridge National
Students can currently take the written paper twice. Their highest mark will count towards their final grade. Students will aim to take the exam in the June/July of Year 10 after covering the content and retake in January of Year 11. This can relieve exam stress for students in the summer of Year 11.
GCSE Assessment
RO18: Health and well-being for child development- written paper, 1 hour 15 minutes (50%)
RO19: Understand equipment and nutritional needs of children from birth to five years (25%) – coursework based assignment
RO20: Understand the development of a child from birth to five years (25%) – coursework based assignment
GCSE Specification
Click to view GCSE specification- Child Development
Year Guides – Curriculum Content
Year 10 Child Development Curriculum Content 23-24
Year 11 Child Development Curriculum Content 23-24
