Course Content

This course offers an experiential route into childcare. It looks at broad links between the care, learning and development of children age 0-12 years. It provides an insight into working in early education and childcare. The course is especially useful for those interested in nursing, nursery nursing or working with children. During the course the students will have the opportunity to care for a ‘virtual’ baby within their own home. The students will be expected to give in class presentations to their peers as part of the general course work and assessments. This is a skill worth developing well prior to college or university.

Working in Early Education and Childcare:

This unit involves teambuilding, investigations, research skills, discussions and presentation skills. It looks at different types of childcare and how the sector supports children and families. A placement is part of this unit carried out in a local primary school.

Child Development:

Introduces students to the key milestones of child development. Students will work as part of a group and investigate one aspect of child development in detail. Findings will be presented to the group and in a folio.

Play in Early Education and Childcare:

This unit looks at a variety of types of play and how play contributes to the development of a child. The students will have opportunities for practical play experiences.

Parenting:

Students will learn about the responsibilities involved in parenting and the issues at each stage of development e.g. baby, toddler, pre-school, school age and adolescence.

Assessment:

Unit assessments and practical task. Some units require students to observe children in learning environments that will take place at local nurseries or primaries. Assessments are presentations in class supported by a folio of work and also written closed book assessments.