Child Development

Key Stage 4

Qualification: Cambridge National Certificate Levels 1/2 (Equivalent to GCSE grades 9 – 1)

Examination Board: OCR

Exam Specification

Students will study three units:

Unit 1:

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 PHSE, Biology and other Child Development qualifications.

Unit 2:

In Unit 2, 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.

Unit 3:

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.

Students will be assessed through two centre assessed units with practical task-based assessment opportunities, as well as an examined unit.