PCSA Options Booklet 2024 - 2026

CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Type of qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: OCR
Central Leader: Mrs K Roberts
Head of Subject: Mrs V Bush
What will I study?
Students will study child development from 0-5 years old. Students will explore key concepts of pre
conception, antenatal and postnatal care. The course also covers the roles and responsibility of
parenthood; creating safe environments for children; understanding the nutritional needs of children; as
well as developing an understanding of how the impact of play can affect developmental norms, such as
the social and intellectual development of a child. Students will carry out observations, research
projects, as well “hands on” learning using a variety of equipment.
To do well you need to:
Read widely about child development and how environments
can impact on this.
Complete two research assignments which will make up 50%
of your final grade.
Have the ability to research nutritional information for
healthy development.
Progression Pathways
Child Development provides students with analytical, practical
and research skills; it requires students to explore all aspects of
child development.
Health and Social Care Diploma
Education and Early Years Apprenticeship
Child Development Level 3
A Levels in Sociology and Biology
How will I be assessed?
Understand the importance of
safety equipment used for
children’s development.
Work independently on aspects of
the course that are more
challenging.
Careers
Studying Child Development can
lead to a plethora of careers
including: An Early Years
Practitioner, Nursery Nurse,
Primary/Secondary and SEN
teaching, Nursing, Midwifery, Child
Care Worker, Nanny.
Paper Length % Key Concepts
Health and
Wellbeing for Child
Development
1 hour 15
minutes
(Exam)
50
This unit explores the roles and responsibilities of
parenthood, and key concepts that cover pre-conception,
antenatal care, and postnatal care.
Safe Environment
and Food Hygiene
Coursework 25
Compares a range of equipment required in creating safe
environments and explores nutritional and hygiene
requirements for early childhood development.
Understand the
Development of a
Child
Coursework 25
Explores impact of play on the developmental norms,
such as social and intellectual development of a child.