Level 3 Qualifications - Early Childhood Development

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

It is equivalent to one full A level and provides an introduction to study of the early years sector, giving learners transferable knowledge and skills.

It is designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals, A Levels or other level 3 qualifications.

This qualification will also be relevant for those who choose to progress directly to employment, through an Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

Unit 1 - Children's Development

Learning about child development is vital for working with children in an early years setting. It gives you a background of the key theories that will govern all aspects of your working practice and everything you do as an early years educator.

In this unit, you will learn about theories and models of development that explain how and why children develop and how this relates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). You will develop an understanding of a range of factors that may influence children’s development, and consider the short- and long-term effects on their development.

Unit 2 - Development of Communication, Literacy and Numeracy Skills

Children’s development of speech, communication, language, literacy and numeracy skills is an essential part of early childhood development, beginning from birth and continuing at home and in the early years setting. Early years practitioners have an essential role to play in supporting and developing all these skills, by promoting them through developmentally appropriate interactions.

In this unit, you will learn the sequence of children’s speech, communication, language, literacy and numeracy skills development. You will plan stage appropriate activities that encourage children’s development and understanding by stimulating their enthusiasm, and using exciting and interesting ways to enable them to find out more.

Unit 3 - Play and Learning

Do you remember playing when you were little? It is something that most children do. Whether it is splashing around in water or pretending to be a superhero, play seems to be an integral part of most people’s childhoods. Play is an important way in which children learn and that is why there is a specific unit on play and purposeful learning activities in this qualification.

In this unit, you will learn about the types of play and the opportunities that should be made available to children at different ages and stages of development. You will consider why play is so important and how it supports children’s learning and development. There are a number of important theoretical perspectives, philosophies and curriculum approaches to play that have been developed over many years. You will investigate these approaches and consider how they continue to influence practice in early years settings. You will explore the skills that are essential for early years professionals and show that you can apply your own skills to support purposeful play and learning experiences. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.

Unit 5 - Keeping Children Safe

As well as wanting their children to learn and be happy, parents want to know that their children will be safe and secure when they leave them in someone else’s care. They expect that everything is being done to prevent their child from becoming ill or having an accident and that people who work with them know what to do in an emergency.

In this unit, you will look at the legislation, regulations and guidance relevant to health, safety and safeguarding. You will investigate approaches to creating safe and secure environments and policies and procedures to control and prevent the spread of infection. You will learn about types of abuse and how to recognise the signs that a child is at risk. It is important that you know how to safeguard children, including ways to empower them so that they become confident in protecting themselves. You also need to know correct procedure for responding to concerns about abuse.

You will learn how to recognise hazards, assess health and safety risks and respond to emergency situations in your own work placement setting. It is strongly recommended that you successfully complete a recognised paediatric first-aid course if you wish to gain employment in the early years sector. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.

Exam - 50%

Coursework - 50%

Entry requirements: at least 5+5 in GCSE Science; 5 in English Language; and 4 in GCSE Maths

A broad basis of study of the early years sector. This qualification is designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.