Child Development and Care in the Early Years

Key Stage 4

The NCFE Level 2 in Child Development and Care provides the opportunity for you to gain a vocational qualification that gives a basic introduction to caring for children. It includes the knowledge and understanding of child development and well-being necessary for working with children in a variety of settings.

  • an awareness of learning styles
  • a basic introduction into working with children in a variety of settings
  • an understanding of roles and responsibilities when working in a setting with children
  • an understanding of Equality and Diversity within a childcare setting
  • a basic understanding of the stages and sequence of child development
  • an introduction to observing children and how it supports their development
  • an introduction to the influences that affect holistic development
  • an introduction to everyday care routines and the types of activities that can support the development of independence
  • an introduction to supporting children through changes in their lives.

Key Stage 5

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care provides students with the essential skills, knowledge and understanding of Lifespan Development, Working in the Health and Social Care Sector and Meeting the Care Needs of Individuals. It develops career opportunities as well as enabling entry to Further or Higher Education programmes. It includes:

  • Encouragement for students to develop and sustain an interest and understanding of the care sector
  • Opportunities to develop skills that will enable students to make a positive contribution in health and social care, including the skills of research, evaluation and problem solving in a work related context
  • A student centered approach to learning with opportunities to apply the principles of health and social care
  • An awareness of how the health and social care sector meets clients needs.
  • The roles and responsibilities of people who work in health and social care settings.

Higher Education: the course provides a sound basis for progression to a range of HE courses to study for a career in Social Work, Nursing, Midwifery, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practice, Dentistry, Mental Health Nursing, Psychiatry, Psychology, Paramedics etc.

Employment: the units aim to maintain and support the recognised standards demanded for health and social care education and training in order to meet the requirements of the health and social care sectors in industry. Transfer to other service sector industries: students will develop transferable skills such as teamwork, effective communication, the ability to self-manage and an understanding of individual rights and responsibilities which will support work in other service sector industries.

Progression Mapping

Childcare Progression Pathway

Curriculum Overview

Childcare Curriculum Overview