Child Development

“What children learn in the early years is incredibly important for their future success; it is the foundation of children’s learnings” DfE.  

“Play is really the work of childhood””  Fred Rogers

Key Stage 4

This NCFE CACHE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care in the Early Years aims to:

• focus on the study of child development and care in the early years 
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge  

• provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills 

The Level 1/2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care in the Early Years is designed for students who want an introduction to child development and care that includes a vocational and project-based element. The qualification is suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in the early years sector or progress onto further study. 

This qualification will promote the learner’s understanding of children (birth to 5 years) and will focus on: :  

• provide an understanding of holistic child development 

• identify factors that influence child development 
• understand legislation in the early years 
• promote care routines and activities to support the child 
• provide an understanding of the expectations of an early years practitioner and their roles and responsibilities in a childcare setting 
• provide an understanding of the importance of observations in early years childcare 

• understand the purpose of planning in early years childcare 

Learners will develop the following skills that will inform future training and work in the early years sector: 

• decision making 
• observation 
• resourcefulness 

• problem solving 
• planning 
• evaluation 
• reflection 
• interpersonal skills 

• professional behaviours 
• respect and appreciation of others 
• an ability to reflect upon their preferred learning style and identify relevant study skills

British Values, SMSC and Cultural Capital 

Students investigate the importance of social and moral needs of children and how their environment and cultural experiences shape their knowledge and understanding of the world. This is turn helps to shape our students’ knowledge and understanding of the role of care and welfare and the role of the community in the foundations of positive childcare development.