Our child development curriculum is designed to give students a deep understanding of the growth, development, and care of children from birth to five years. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students explore how children develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially, and how a range of factors can influence this development.

We aim to foster empathy, responsibility, and critical thinking by encouraging students to consider the needs of young children and the role of adults in supporting their development. The course is ideal for students interested in careers in early years education, childcare, health and social care, or related fields.

By the end of Key Stage 4, students will be able to:

• Understand the key milestones in child development from birth to five years
• Explore the importance of play in supporting development
• Investigate how different factors, including health and nutrition, impact a child’s growth
• Apply knowledge to practical scenarios and case studies
• Develop skills in observation, planning, and evaluation

Curriculum overview

Key Stage 4

Students follow the Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Child Development, which is assessed through a combination of internal coursework and an externally assessed task. The course is structured around three components:

• Component 1: Children’s growth and development
  Students learn about the expected patterns of development and the factors that can influence them.

• Component 2: Learning through play
  This component explores how play supports development and how different types of play can be used to meet individual needs.

• Component 3: Supporting children to play, learn and develop
  An externally assessed task where students apply their knowledge to plan and evaluate activities for children.

Courses offered

• BTEC Tech Award in Child Development

Enrichment opportunities

We offer a range of enrichment activities to support students’ learning and broaden their understanding of child development. These may include:

• Guest speakers from early years settings and health professions
• Cross-curricular projects with health and social care and science
• Careers events focused on pathways into childcare, education, and healthcare

These experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-life contexts and inspire future study and careers in the sector.