CHILDREN'S PLAY, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
WHY STUDY CHILDREN'S PLAY, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT?
Children's Play, Learning and Development extended certificate course offers a qualification that can be studied alongside other level 3 qualifications such as A levels or other BTEC Nationals as part of a larger programme of study, or as the main focus of study.
Children's Play, Learning and Development is designed for Post-16 Level 3 learners wishing to go on to further or higher level study of the sector or directly to employment in a nursery or other early years setting.
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COURSE CONTENT
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Knowledge of the principles and patterns, theories and models that inform children’s growth and development from birth to seven years, 11 months
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An understanding of how children develop literacy, language, numeracy and communication skills and how to promote and support this development.
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The benefits of play, the influence of theories and approaches to play, and how to provide and support purposeful play and learning activities for children.
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The responsibilities of a professional to promote and maintain health and safety.
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What to do in an emergency, or when there are concerns about a child’s welfare.
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Personal research
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Discussion/ debate on ethical issues
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Group/individual Presentation
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Group production of questionnaires and review of peers
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This qualifications take a unit-by-unit approach and offer a combination of assessment styles. This gives you the opportunity to showcase their skills and apply their knowledge in an appropriate, work-related context, and provides evidence of what they can do when they apply to enter higher education or employment.
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You are required to complete 50 hours of work experience placements in early years settings, which contributes to your assessments. You will study two exams in Year 12 and the rest of your work will be coursework assessed.
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Grading:
Your final qualification grade reflects your achievements across units in their BTEC Nationals course. Both internally and externally assessed (exam) units are individually graded, and each final unit grade is allocated points.
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Internally assessed units are marked and graded in the 6th Form by your teachers and subject to external verification by Pearson.
Externally assessed units are marked and graded by Pearson.
Units are graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, with external units also having an N grade.
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Total points scored across all units are used to calculate the final qualification grade.
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RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
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www.cache.org.uk/for-learners/choosing-early-years-as-a-career
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www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/article/new-documentary-series-explores-the-life-of-babies
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www.nurseryworld.co.uk/knowledge-bank/article/the-nursery-world-podcast-lessons-from-lockdown
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ASSESSMENTS
Exam Papers
National Extended Certificate in Children's Play, Learning & Development
(Equivalent to one A Level)
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7 units (3 mandatory) and 2 are external.
Mandatory content (83%). External assessment (66%).
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HIGHER EDUCATION ROUTES
Early Years Teaching / Initial Teacher Training
Apprenticeship or employment in early years settings such as:
Nurseries / Primary Schools / Special Schools.
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POTENTIAL CAREERS
Nursery Nurse / Nursery Assistant / Early Years Practitioner / Early Years Teacher / Primary Teacher / Children’s Nurse / Midwife
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EXAM BOARD: Pearson
COURSE CODE: xxxxx
COURSE TYPE: BTEC
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