Child Development (last exam 2023)

Key Stage 4

What is Child Development about?

This qualification is for students who wish to develop applied knowledge and practical skills in child development. At the end of this course students will gain a Level 1 or 2 qualification in Child Development. This would provide a secure starting for those considering a career involving working with younger children or intending to study further pathways into teaching, child nursing, midwifery, nursery work etc.

What will students learn?

R018 (exam)
The first unit underpins all of the other learning in this qualification. All students will learn the essential knowledge and understanding for child development, covering reproduction, parental responsibility, antenatal care, birth, postnatal checks, care, conditions for development, childhood illnesses and child safety. Knowledge gained would be of use for further studies in PHSEE, Biology and other Child Development qualifications.

R019 (coursework)
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 all of these needs.

They will also gain knowledge of nutrition and hygiene practices and will be given the opportunity to evaluate dietary choices. Evaluation skills are transferable skills which would be of use in further studies in most areas.

R020 (coursework)
In Unit 3, students will gain knowledge of, and skills in, developing activities to observe development norms in children up to the age of five. This unit will include researching, planning, carrying out activities with children and observing and reviewing these activities, as well as an understanding of the development norms and the benefits of play in child development. These transferable skills will support further studies in many other subjects.

How will students be taught?

Students will be taught using a variety of teaching styles:

Whole-class teaching, producing projects, giving individual and group presentations.
Students will be expected to work independently in order to carry out and complete controlled assessment coursework.
ICT and the Internet are used.
A coursework booklet is provided, with guidance notes for students to follow whilst carrying out the child study.
Visitors into school from the child care sector.
Visits out of school to child care placements.

How will students be assessed?

A mixture of coursework and examination.

Further recommendations

Students should have an interest in how children learn and be prepared to consider a work placement in this sector in Year 10 to support their understanding of the knowledge gained on this course.

Examination board & course type

OCR – Cambridge National Level 1/2 (J818)

What can studying this subject lead to?

This course provides an excellent foundation for students who wish to continue their studies or follow a career and/or apprenticeship working in the childcare sector.

A levels in Health and Social Care, Psychology and Sociology.
College courses such as Childcare, Health and Social Care.
Employment in childcare that would work alongside gaining qualifications in a related topic.
Degrees in psychology, sociology, teaching, nursing.

Future career prospects:

Teacher (primary and secondary), child psychologist, educational psychologist, social worker, nurse, nursery management, nursery nurse, childminder, midwife, play-worker, play therapist, social worker.