Child Development Curriculum

Our subject vision

The Cambridge National Course equips student to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Child Development to include health and well-being, creating a safe environment, the nutritional needs of children from birth to five years, and the development of children from one to five years. Throughout the two-year course student will observe the key milestones and development stages of children age 0-5 years. Student will learn how to plan and deliver suitable play activities for this key stage and ensure children’s needs have been met at each stage of their development. Student will learn about the nutritional needs of a child at each development stage and complete practical tasks where they learn how to prepare nutritional meals for them.

These practical elements will all be underpinned with key theoretical knowledge learned in their final unit: Students will learn about the importance of both pre-conception health and creating conditions in which a child can thrive, including the prevention and management of childhood illnesses and creating a safe environment.

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Which qualifications do we offer at KS4?

You will study key knowledge, understanding and skills that relate to working in the Child Development sector. You will also have the opportunity to apply what you learn by completing practical activities. This qualification has three mandatory units:

Unit R057: Health and well-being for child development
This is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the importance of pre-conception health and reproduction, antenatal care and preparation for birth. You’ll also learn  about postnatal care and the conditions in which a  child can thrive.

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

 Unit R058: Create a safe environment and understand the nutritional needs of children from birth to five years

This is assessed by a set assignment.

In this unit you will learn how to create a safe environment for children from birth to five years
in childcare settings. You’ll research and choose equipment that is suitable and safe for use and will 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

Unit R059: Understand the development of a child from one to five years
This is assessed by a set assignment.
In this unit you will learn the physical, intellectual, and social developmental norms for children from one to five years. You 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

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