Child Development

Child Development Curriculum Summary 

The intent of the OCR Nationals in Child Development curriculum is to provide a broad, ambitious, and coherent programme of study that enables learners to build secure knowledge and understanding of child development from birth to five years. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners, particularly those who benefit from a vocational and applied approach to learning, while maintaining high expectations and clear progression routes.

The curriculum develops student's substantive and disciplinary knowledge of physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development, and the factors that influence growth and wellbeing. Learning is carefully sequenced to ensure that knowledge and skills build over time, allowing learners to make links between theory and practice and to apply their understanding in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Through a balance of internal and external assessment, learners develop essential practical skills including observation, planning, evaluation, and reflective practice. The curriculum explicitly promotes safeguarding, inclusion, equality, and British values, ensuring learners understand professional responsibilities when working with children and families.  The programme supports the development of literacy, numeracy, and employability skills, alongside behaviours such as resilience, independence, and effective communication. These transferable skills enable learners to be well prepared for further education, apprenticeships, and employment within the childcare and early years sector. 

An amazing child development student is inquisitive, reflective and determined to strive for excellence in this subject academically, practically and personally. Our intention is for students to become caring, respectful and creative individuals who have a deep understanding of the needs of young children and the emotional intelligence to recognise the implications that poor care can have on the development of the child.

The intended impact is that learners leave the course with strong, secure knowledge, practical competence, and confidence, enabling successful progression and supporting positive destinations while fostering a genuine commitment to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

Link to Exam Board - Cambridge Nationals – Level 1/2 Child Development