Early Childhood Development

Course summary

The Early Childhood Development BTEC Level 3 offers a rich, engaging pathway into careers in early years education, primary teaching, paediatrics, social work, and child psychology. This course equips you with essential knowledge, professional skills, and real-world understanding of the early years sector. Children’s Development Begin with an in-depth look at children’s developmental progress from birth to eight years. Explore key developmental theories, milestones, and principles. You’ll understand how factors like health, family environment, culture, and early experiences can shape a child’s growth. You’ll be assessed through a 1 hour 45-minute external exam in January, worth 25% of your final grade. Play and Learning Next, immerse yourself in the concept of play and how it supports every area of development. Learn how different theories and approaches to play influence practice and provision in early years settings. You'll complete four internally assessed assignments, exploring how play-based learning benefits children and how practitioners plan and deliver meaningful experiences. This unit is worth 25% of your final grade and is completed by the end of Year 12. Keeping Children Safe This unit prepares you for real-world responsibilities. You'll gain a thorough understanding of health, safety, and safeguarding procedures, including emergency best practices and how to respond to concerns about a child’s welfare. In January, you’ll sit another 1 hour 45-minute exam, worth 25% of your final qualification. Research and Reflective Practice In your final unit, you’ll explore how research shapes early years policy and provision, and how professionals apply this to their own practice. You'll learn how reflective thinking improves the quality of care and supports continuous professional development. You’ll complete four assignments, due by May of Year 13, contributing the final 25% to your grade.