Child Development and Care in Early Years

NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care in Early Years

Key Stage 4

This qualification provides the opportunity to gain a vocational qualification that gives an introduction to child development and care. It includes the knowledge and understanding of Child Development and Care in Early Years and well-being necessary for working with children aged 0-5 years in a variety of settings - pre-schools, nurseries, playgroups, and their own home. 

Students study a range of topics related to Child Development and Care in Early Years. These include:

• Types of settings for early years education
• Roles and responsibilities of early years workers
• Meeting the individual needs of children in an early-years setting
• Child development
• The importance of observation as part of a cycle of observing, assessing and planning
• The importance of routines in a nursery including snack time and outdoor play

The qualification has 2 assessments externally-set by NCFE: one non-exam assessment and one written examined assessment. The non-exam assessment (NEA) is conducted at the end of Year 11 and totals 14 hours and the examined assessment is a 90 minute exam. The qualification is graded at level 1 pass/merit/distinction and level 2 pass/merit/distinction/distinction* (equivalent to GCSE grades 8.5 to 1).

Students can progress onto several subsequent courses within the Child Development area. Most of these will involve a significant amount of time in childcare settings and so are delivered through an FE College with work-based placements. Alternatively, these qualifications can be taken as part-time study once a student has taken on an apprenticeship position within a childcare setting. Examples include Level 2 awards in Childcare and Education and Level 3 awards in Diploma Qualification for Children and Young People’s Workforce. Students also may progress to A -level courses (particularly for Psychology and Sociology).

This is a very widely recognized vocational qualification and would provide entry into work in childcare establishments for 0-5 year old children. This is an area of employment that is growing rapidly in Britain.