Meet the Child Development Team
Mrs A Ruscoe
Curriculum Intent
In Year 10, the first concept students are introduced to is what it means to be a practitioner in a Child Development/Care Setting, the characteristics these roles require, and their responsibilities to the babies and children in their care. This is a crucial concept for students to master, as moving forward, they will need to be able to confidently apply theoretical concepts to practical, real-world scenarios. Our curriculum also ensures that students’ disciplinary knowledge develops in an equally advanced way. For example, the ability to apply theory to specific child development and care scenarios.
At the beginning of each unit, students will be guided and supported through expert modelling and scaffolding on how to do this effectively. As the course progresses, students will be able to do this more independently.
We use the principles of cognitive science in the planning of our curriculum, to ensure that students develop bodies of knowledge through revisiting key concepts in different contexts. Each element of the curriculum has been carefully sequenced to aid the acquisition and remembering of this content, and through this, students will be enabled in their learning to think metacognitively.
Finally, although outcomes are very important, we know that teaching to the test is counterproductive to developing knowledge and understanding. Our curriculum is therefore enriched by a wealth of cultural capital—the glue that helps the core content stick. For example, when studying reproduction, labour, and delivery, students will watch various clips from real life documentaries such as ‘One Born Every Minute’.
View Pathway for Child Development
Topics
Year 9 - Gateway Year
Pre-conception, Contraception and the reproductive system
Ante-natal and post-natal
Types of development and expected development
Stages of play and equipment in nursery settings
Accidents and childhood illness
Year 10
RO58 – choosing suitable equipment for a childcare setting
RO58 – Creating a safe environment in a childcare setting
RO58 – Nutritional needs of children 0 – 5 years old
RO59 – Development norms aged 1 – 5 and stages and types of play
RO59 – Observe the development of a child
RO57 – Pre-conception health and reproduction
Year 11
RO57 – Pre-conception health and reproduction and antenatal care
RO57 – Preparation for birth
RO57 – Postnatal chicks and care and conditions for development
RO57 – Childhood illnesses and a child safe environment
RO57 – Health and well-being for child development
Careers
Child Development is about understanding how children grow, learn, and thrive. It opens up opportunities to work in education, healthcare, and social care.
Direct Child Development Careers
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Early Years Practitioner / Nursery Worker – supporting young children’s learning and development.
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Primary School Teacher – educating and inspiring children aged 4–11.
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Teaching Assistant – providing support to pupils in schools.
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Child Psychologist – helping children with emotional, behavioural, or learning needs.
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Paediatric Nurse – working with children in hospitals and healthcare settings.
Broader Opportunities
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Social Worker – supporting vulnerable children and families.
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Play Therapist – using play to help children process emotions.
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Speech and Language Therapist – helping children with communication difficulties.
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Youth Worker – supporting young people in the community.
Transferable Skills
Child Development nurtures:
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Patience, empathy, and understanding.
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Communication and teamwork.
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Organisation and leadership.
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Knowledge of safeguarding and child welfare.
Next Steps
Students may continue with Health & Social Care, Psychology, or Education at college or university, or take apprenticeships in early years, childcare, or health settings.