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Early Childhood Development (AAQ)


Course overview

This is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and skills to support children’s growth from birth to eight years. You’ll explore child development theories, safeguarding and health and safety practices, the importance of play in learning, and how research influences early years settings. This qualification prepares you for further study or a career in early childhood education, helping you make a positive impact on children’s lives.

Entry requirements

Students studying three A Levels and/or AAQs will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 5 and three at grade 4, including English Language and Mathematics.

Topics you will study
  • Children’s development – Children’s developmental progress from birth up to eight years, including the theories, principles and factors relating to development, and the potential impact of a range of factors on a child’s progress through the developmental milestones.

  • Keeping Children Safe – Health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities of an individual working in an early years setting; emergency best practices and when to address concerns about a child’s welfare.

  • Play and Learning – The concept of play, the influence of theories and approaches to play, and the benefits of play and learning activities for children.

  • Research and Reflective Practice – The influence of research findings on policy and provision for children and how this influences the behaviours and expectations of an individual working in an early years setting.

Key features

You will acquire knowledge and understanding of children's development, importance of play and learning in development, and health and safeguarding practices.

  • Knowledge and understanding of how research findings influence legislation, policy and provisions for children.

  • Skills to support the safeguarding and maintenance of children's safety, including in emergencies.

  • Skills to support children’s play and learning experiences, including numeracy and literacy.

  • Critical thinking, secondary research and reflective practice skills.

Assessment

Assessment will be carried out through different methods:

• Written examinations

• Synoptic assessment

• Assignments

Exam Board: Pearson

Enrichment and Work Experience

You will have the opportunity to undertake work placement whilst enrolled on this course. The work placement setting will be with children from birth up to eight years and support your completion of research and reflective practice in an early childhood setting.

Why choose B6?


Our Children’s Play, Learning and Development teachers have a vast amount of work experience with children in a range of settings and countries. This experience is used to enhance your learning environment and give you greater knowledge about the everyday work carried out in a childcare setting. You are taught by subject experts and examiners and receive extensive support to reach your full potential.

Future career opportunities

Further learning and careers opportunites:

  • Nursing – BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, Nursing – Child – BSc (Hons)

  • Teacher Training – Childhood and Early Years Studies BA (Hons)

  • Social Work – BA (Hons) Social Work

  • Psychology – Psychology BSc (Hons)

  • Employment opportunities such as primary teaching, play therapy, nursery nursing, youth work and community liaison within the sector or progress to higher education.

Additional information

DBS - approximately £61.50

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