Child Development

“A child needs encouragement like a flower needs water. It is essential to healthy growth and development”

The child care industry brings reward and excitement to those who choose to work in it. Here at Boldon School, we help students to develop the qualities required to work in the child care and early years sector. Through an OCR Level 2 qualification, they will gain an understanding of child development, play, physical care needs and health and safety.

Students learn first hand the decisions that adults have to make before having children, the implications this will have, all about health and well being through to birth and antenatal appointments. We then explore the equipment required, by choosing the most appropriate car seats, prams, feeding equipment and sleeping equipment. The final unit, students will get the opportunity to observe a child- whether this be a family member or we take a visit to our local nursery, where they will discover the elements of play and how we can develop their needs.

Guest speakers are invited into school to reinforce learning and give learners the chance to ask important questions and gain feedback regarding the world of work. We have midwives discuss the topics from labour through to diagnostic tests. Students love the shopping experience visiting Mothercare, discussing with the shop assistants the best equipment to buy for their chosen budget. These opportunities will aid career choices and potentially attract learners into the sector, as well as raising aspirations.

All members of staff that teach the child development course have young children of their own, where they can draw on experiences that are happening within their own lives at this point in time- it has been known for staff to bring in a live little study at times!

We truly believe that this course allows the learner to gain a broad understanding and knowledge of an essential vocational sector. At Boldon we pride ourselves on preparing our students for the next stage of their educational journey, and this course supports us in that mission.