Mrs D Mason	Lead Teacher of Religious Studies & Child Development
Miss L Guile	Teacher of Child Development & Religious Studies

What is Child Development?

Cambridge National Child Development is a practical and engaging qualification for pupils who are interested in understanding how children grow and develop and the factors that contribute to giving children a healthy and positive start in life.

The course explores child development from pre-conception through pregnancy and birth and into the first five years of a child's life. Pupils develop an understanding of children's physical, intellectual and social development, alongside their health, nutritional and safety needs.

The qualification combines academic knowledge with practical and applied learning, giving pupils opportunities to use what they have learned in realistic situations.

What will pupils study?

The course is divided into three units:

R057 – Health and Well-being for Child Development

Pupils study the factors that affect the decision to have children and learn about pre-conception health, reproduction and contraception. They explore pregnancy and antenatal care, preparation for birth and postnatal care.

The unit also considers the developmental needs of children from birth to five years, childhood illnesses and how parents and carers can provide a safe and supportive environment for young children.

R058 – Creating a Safe Environment and Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Children

In this practical unit, pupils learn how to create safe environments for children from birth to five years. They consider potential hazards and accidents and how these can be prevented, as well as how to select suitable equipment for babies and young children.

Pupils also investigate the nutritional needs of babies and young children. This includes planning and preparing suitable feeds or meals while considering nutrition, safety and hygiene.

R059 – Understanding the Development of a Child

Pupils explore the physical, intellectual and social development of children between the ages of one and five.

They learn how to observe and assess a child's development and use their findings to plan an appropriate play activity. Pupils consider how play can support different areas of development and evaluate how effectively an activity meets the needs of a child.

How will pupils be assessed?

The qualification is assessed through a combination of an external examination and internally assessed assignments:

• 40% Examination – R057: Health and Well-being for Child Development. This is a 1 hour 15 minute written examination, worth 70 marks.

• 60% Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) – R058 and R059: Pupils complete OCR-set assignments during the course. These are assessed by the school and externally moderated by OCR.

This combination allows pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in different ways and rewards pupils who can apply their learning effectively to practical and realistic situations.

What skills will pupils develop?

Throughout the course, pupils develop a wide range of practical, academic and transferable skills that will support them in further education, apprenticeships and future employment.

These include:

• Research skills – finding, selecting and using relevant information effectively.

• Planning and organisation – managing tasks, organising work and meeting important deadlines.

• Observation skills – observing aspects of a child's development, recording findings accurately and drawing appropriate conclusions.

• Analysis and evaluation – considering information carefully, assessing outcomes and making justified recommendations.

• Problem-solving – applying knowledge to realistic situations and making appropriate decisions based on the needs of babies and young children.

• Practical skills – applying knowledge in areas such as nutrition, feeding, hygiene, safety and children's activities.

• Communication skills – presenting ideas and information clearly and using appropriate terminology.

• Independence and responsibility – taking ownership of work and managing longer-term assignments.

• Creativity – planning appropriate activities and considering different ways to support children's learning and development.

• Empathy and understanding – developing an appreciation of the individual needs of children and the responsibilities involved in caring for and supporting others.

• Time management – balancing different elements of coursework and completing work within non-negotiable deadlines.

These are valuable skills not only for careers involving children but across a wide range of further education courses, apprenticeships and employment.

Where could Child Development take me?

Cambridge National Child Development provides an excellent foundation for pupils interested in progressing to further study, apprenticeships or eventually a career involving children, education, health or care.

Possible career pathways include:

• Nursery or Early Years Practitioner – supporting the learning, development and care of babies and young children.

• Primary School Teacher – educating and supporting children during their primary school years.

• Teaching Assistant – supporting pupils' learning and development within a school environment.

• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support Worker – supporting children and young people with additional educational needs.

• Childcare Worker – caring for and supporting children in a range of childcare settings.

• Nanny or Childminder – providing professional care and developmental support for children.

• Midwife – supporting women and families throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.

• Paediatric Nurse – providing specialist nursing care for babies, children and young people.

• Health Visitor – supporting families with the health and development of babies and young children.

• Social Worker – supporting children and families who may be experiencing difficult circumstances or require additional help.

• Family Support Worker – working with families to provide practical and emotional support.

• Play Worker – supporting children's development and wellbeing through appropriate play opportunities.

• Play Therapist – using play to support children's emotional wellbeing and development.

• Speech and Language Therapist – supporting children and adults who experience difficulties with communication, speech or language.

• Occupational Therapist – helping children and adults develop or regain the skills needed for everyday life.

Many of these careers require further study and professional qualifications after leaving school. However, Cambridge National Child Development provides an excellent introduction to the knowledge, skills and issues involved in working with children and families and can support progression to further qualifications in Childcare, Early Years, Health and Social Care, Education and Healthcare.