Children's Play, Learning and Development (Level 2)
This course will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will also develop key skills such as research and written communication skills as you plan different types of play activities to encourage children’s learning and development and investigate how to adapt them to meet children’s individual circumstances.
HOW STUDENTS WILL STUDY
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Child Development is ideal for you if you would like to find out more about child development and the early years sector. This course offers a practical introduction to life and work in the early years sector. The qualification is the same size and level as a GCSE.
Everyone taking this qualification will study three components, covering the following content areas:
• In Component 1, you will gain knowledge of the principles of growth and development, including expected development milestones, for different age ranges across all five areas of development: physical, intellectual and cognitive, communication and language, social and emotional. You will explore how different factors can positively or negatively impact different areas of a child’s expected development.
● In Component 2, you will explore different stages and types of play and how play activities can support and promote children’s development and learning across the five areas of development between the ages of birth and five years old. You will investigate the different learning needs of children at different ages and stages and learn how to plan and structure play activities to meet those learning needs and encourage and influence learning, while considering the role of adults in promoting children’s learning and development through play both at home and in the community.
● In Component 3, you will develop an understanding of how children’s learning and development can be affected by their individual circumstances. You will investigate the importance of inclusion and the role of an adult in keeping children safe when engaging in play activities and how the environment and play activities can be adapted to support the learning and development of all children.
DEPARTMENT STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES
The Childcare department have a proven track record of successful results throughout Level 2 and have prepared many students for successful progression into college, work placements, or further study at Sixth Form.
HOW STUDENTS WILL BE ASSESSED
The three components in the qualification give learners the opportunity to develop broad knowledge and understanding of children’s development, and the importance of play.
Internal assessment – externally moderated Components 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment. The non exam internal assessment for these components (60%) has been designed to demonstrate application of the conceptual knowledge underpinning the sector through realistic tasks and activities. This style of assessment promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice.
The components focus on:
● the development of core knowledge and understanding of the key features of children’s growth and development, and factors that can affect how children make progress between the ages of birth to five years old
● the development and application of practices, such as using play opportunities to benefit children’s learning and development.
Non-exam internal assessment is delivered through Pearson-set Assignments. These assignments are set by Pearson, marked by the centre and moderated by Pearson.
External assessment: Component 3, (40%) which provides the main synoptic assessment for the qualification. Component 3 builds directly on Components 1 and 2 and enables learning to be brought together and applied to realistic contexts.
PROGRESSION ROUTE
Once you have completed the qualification, you will have developed a practical understanding of the early years sector and child development. You will have built useful skills, which are not generally covered in GCSE courses, and you will have developed a good understanding of whether the early years sector is for you, and if so, which part of it you might want to study further.
If you decide to go on to further study of early years and child development, the best option for you will depend on the grades you have achieved in this and the other qualifications you have taken, and what you enjoy doing. You could progress to a Level 2 Technical Certificate or to a Level 3 programme, such as A Levels, a T Level or a BTEC National, either on its own or in combination with A levels.
More info:
Head of Department:
Ms L Stevenson - Head of Health lstevenson@hswv.co.uk
Student Quote
‘During my Childcare course it was interesting to work from case studies and hear from outside speakers. It made the tasks feel real life’.