Subject Lead - Mrs Jacqui Scott, 01805 623531 Ext. 214 or jscott@gts.devon.sch.uk
Teachers - Mrs Helen Whiterod

Our Intent

We want our pupils to:
• Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of child development, to enable further education and careers in the subject.

Our intent is to support and prepare pupils for their next steps by helping to give them an understanding of:
• Health and wellbeing
• Creating a safe environment
• The nutritional needs of children from one to five years
• The development of children from one to five years
 
And, be able to apply this knowledge to real-life contexts and work situations.
 
Our Expectations:
• For pupils to come to lessons ready to learn, including an interest in the subject and with ready to learn equipment.
• For pupils to take an independent approach to their learning for both the coursework elements and examined element of the course.
• For pupils to be reflective of their efforts and work to improve on coursework to be able to achieve the best possible outcomes.
 
Child development is an OCR Cambridge nationals course, these are designed to ‘inspire students to develop real-world skills to prepare them for their future’.

This course has two set pieces of coursework, one to be completed in year 10 and one to be completed in year 11. There is an examined element, this is taught throughout years 10 and 11 which the final exam taking place in year 11.

Examined element- Health and well-being for child development
Topics include:
• Pre-conception health and reproduction
• Antenatal care and preparation for birth
• Postnatal checks, postnatal care and the conditions for development
• Childhood illnesses and a child safe environment.
 
Examination: 1 hour 15 minutes
Coursework element – Year 10 - Create a safe environment and understand the nutritional needs of children from birth to five years
 
In this unit students will learn how to create a safe environment for children from birth to five years in childcare setting and choose equipment that is suitable and safe for use. They will also learn about children’s nutrition and dietary needs.
 
Topics include:
• Creating a safe environment in a childcare setting
• Choosing suitable equipment for a childcare setting
• Nutritional needs of children from birth to five years.
 
Coursework element – Year 11 - Understand the development of a child from one to five years
 
In this unit students will learn the physical, intellectual and social development norms for children from one to five years. They will understand the importance of creating plans and providing different play activities to support children in their development.  
 
Topics include:
• Physical, intellectual and social developmental norms from one to five years
• Stages and types of play and how play benefits development
• Observe the development of a child aged one to five years
• Plan and evaluate play activities for a child aged one to five years for a chosen area of development.

Wider opportunities

Child development is a course specifically designed to help students who would like to go onto careers in the childcare sector; therefore, work experience within this topic is encouraged.
This year, as an example, Norland college, famous for training the world's most prestigious nannies, has partnered with Springpod to offer virtual work experience programmes, this was offered to our pupils, which is a fantastic opportunity and one which our pupils are enjoying.