Childcare
Intent
At Grange we believe that giving the pupils choices over the subjects they embrace will have a positive impact on their concentration, mental health and wellbeing. The childcare qualification provide learner with a fundamental understanding of childcare and early years, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to care for children in various settings, as well as preparing them for potential progression into further education or supervised employment within the childcare sector. This qualification aims to develop an awareness of child development, safeguarding, healthy lifestyles, and the roles and responsibilities within childcare environments. This qualification provides you with an introduction to the knowledge and skills needed to care for young children. The qualification is formed of a variety of optional units that cover children’s growth, learning and development. There are also units to help with self-development enabling the pupils to become confident learners who are ready to take risks and strive ad strive, opportunities and to further study and working within the childcare environment will be available. Teaching and learning is adapted to meet the needs of the whole child based on their individual needs, providing opportunities to access and succeed in this subject.
The virtual baby scheme offered alongside the NCFE qualification offers different purposes and experiences. The simulated parenting experience involves caring for a virtual infant simulator to understand the demands and responsibilities of parenthood. The programme uses advanced infant simulators designed to react to care like a real baby, requiring feeding, changing, burping and rocking. The pupils will first take care of the virtual infant ‘Hugo’ in pairs, taking care of him whilst completing their normal daily schooling routine, moving on to taking care of the baby at home for an overnight period. This experience provides the pupils with an extra qualification certificate as well as an enriching and unique learning experience.
To enrich this subject even further, we are lucky to have parents who are willing to be involved by bringing their ‘real life’ twin babies into our classroom at various times throughout the academic year. This gives the pupils the opportunities to experience first hand babies and young children at differing growth and developmental milestone stages, putting their knowledge and learning into practice through stay and play and question and answer sessions.
Implementation
Childcare is a journey throughout the secondary years of the pupil’s learning, aspirations are achieved through exploration, practice, planning, preparation and application of skills over time. Successes and failures are both seen as part of the individuals learning journey and are celebrated as such. At each stage of the qualification journey pupils are expected to demonstrate understanding of theory modules as well as informed application of skills through bespoke tasks and the Virtual baby scheme. These range of group activity, teacher led and fully independent tasks. This understanding will be evidenced in both written work as well as demonstration of knowledge and skillset through practical tasks. Half termly units and assessment criteria are used as discussion points leading to completion of written coursework and practical tasks. Ongoing assessment is in place in line with the NCFE Caring for Children qualification specification. Pupils are encouraged to review their own learning and progress over time, ensuring that the work produced is to the best of their ability and line with the pathway within the qualification they have chosen to progress through.
Impact
Pupil’s aptitude, motivation levels and ability in this subject will determine the pathway within the NCFE qualification that they move through. Progress is measured in the first instance through teacher led, whole class teaching and learning, moving on to independent learning with the pupil’s taking leadership and initiative for themselves. If a pupil can achieve a certificate or diploma within this qualification they will be challenged and encouraged to do so. The curriculum is designed to be both challenging and enjoyable and where possible pupils are given the opportunity to develop their skills in ‘real world’ environments through the virtual baby scheme and work experience placements. It is hoped that those pupils with a keen interest will continue to study childcare post 16, utilising their found skills and knowledge further still.
