“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.
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Term 1 | Basic introduction to the course. Factors affecting preconception health for women and men | The structure and function of the male and female reproductive system | Ways to observe and record the development of a child. Planning and evaluating play |
| Half Term 2 | How to ensure a child friendly safe environment. Childhood accidents, when they happen, how we prevent them | How reproduction takes place Start Task one – equipment in room one of nursery | Assessment: observation and evaluation. Exam Revision |
| Half Term 3 | Choosing suitable and appropriate equipment for a childcare setting- travelling, sleeping, feeding and clothing. | Antenatal care and preparation for birth. Task one- Explanation and rejection of equipment | Exam Revision |
| Half Term 4 | Government dietary requirements. Plan and prepare a meal and evaluate. | The common signs and symptoms of pregnancy Assessment hand in . | Exam revision Re-sit moderation opportunity |
| Half Term 5 | Childhood illnesses and how to meet the needs of an ill child | Antenatal care and preparation for birth. Postnatal checks and care for mother and baby | Final exam prep |
| Half Term 6 | Types of contraception methods and their advantages and disadvantages | The developmental needs of children from birth to five years. Developmental norms activity | Exam |
Year 9
Half Term 1
Basic introduction to the course. Factors affecting preconception health for women and men
Half Term 2
How to ensure a child friendly safe environment. Childhood accidents, when they happen, how we prevent them
Half Term 3
Choosing suitable and appropriate equipment for a childcare setting- travelling, sleeping, feeding and clothing.
Half Term 4
Government dietary requirements. Plan and prepare a meal and evaluate.
Half Term 5
Childhood illnesses and how to meet the needs of an ill child
Half Term 6
Types of contraception methods and their advantages and disadvantages
Year 10
Half Term 1
The structure and function of the male and female reproductive system
Half Term 2
How reproduction takes place
Start Task one – equipment in room one of nursery
Half Term 3
Antenatal care and preparation for birth. Task one- Explanation and rejection of equipment
Half Term 4
The common signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Assessment hand in
.
Half Term 5
Antenatal care and preparation for birth. Postnatal checks and care for mother and baby
Half Term 6
The developmental needs of children from birth to five years. Developmental norms activity
Year 11
Half Term 1
Ways to observe and record the development of a child. Planning and evaluating play
Half Term 2
Assessment: observation and evaluation. Exam Revision
Half Term 3
Exam Revision
Half Term 4
Exam revision
Re-sit moderation opportunity
Half Term 5
Final exam prep
Half Term 6
Exam