AAQ in Early Childhood Development

Syllabus: Pearson (Edexcel)

Why Study Early Childhood Development?

This subject allows students to engage in a broad investigation of various aspects of the Early Childhood Development sector. This specific course allows students to engage in a broad investigation of the children’s care and education sector (0-8 years).

What will you study?

Students will study the following units as part of this qualification over the two years:

Unit 1 - Children’s development – Children’s developmental progress from birth up to eight years, including the theories, principles and factors relating to development, and the potential impact of a range of factors on a child’s progress through the developmental milestones.
Unit 2 - Keeping Children Safe – Health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities of an individual working in an early years setting; emergency best practices and when to address concerns about a child’s welfare.
Unit 3 - Play and Learning – The concept of play, the influence of theories and approaches to play, and the benefits of play and learning activities for children.
Unit 4 - Research and Reflective Practice – The influence of research findings on policy and provision for children and how this influences the behaviours and expectations of an individual working in an early years setting.

How will you be assessed?

Overall AAQ grades are reported as:

AAQ Grade	A-Level Equivalent
Distinction *	A*
Distinction	A
Merit	C
Pass	E

Two units (Units 1 and 2) are assessed via an external examination at a time set by Pearson, in either January or June. These exams are 80 marks each. These are graded at Unclassified (U), Near Pass (N), Pass (P), Merit (M), or Distinction (D). Students need to achieve at least a Near Pass grade to achieve the qualification.

The other two units are assessed internally will be based around a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB) Task. These will be completed both in lesson time and as home learning. These are graded at Unclassified (U), Pass (P), Merit (M), or Distinction (D). Students need to achieve at least a Pass grade to achieve the qualification.

Each of the units are equally weighted at 25% of the overall grade. Sufficient units at Distinction (D) grade earn a student a Distinction * (D*) qualification.

What skills will you develop?

Students will develop the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge and understanding of children's development, importance of play and learning in development, and health and safeguarding practices
Knowledge and understanding of how research findings influence legislation, policy and provisions for children
Skills to support the safeguarding and maintenance of children's safety, including in emergencies
Skills to support children’s play and learning experiences, including numeracy and literacy
Critical thinking, secondary research and reflective practice skills

All AAQ subjects are also developed to ensure students have the opportunity to improve on a range of transferable and digital skills, including:

Transferable Skills:

Managing Yourself: (1) Taking personal responsibility; (2) Personal strengths and resilience; (3) Career orientation planning; (4) Personal goal setting
Effective Learning: (1) Managing own learning; (2) Continuous learning; (3) Secondary research skills (4) Primary research skills
Interpersonal Skills: (1) Written communications; (2) Verbal and non-verbal communications; (3) Teamwork; (4) Cultural and social intelligence
Solving Problems: (1) Critical thinking (2) Problem solving; (3) Creativity and innovation

Digital Skills:

Problem Solving – The use of digital tools to analyse and solve problems
Digital Collaboration and Communication – Using digital tools to communicate and share information with stakeholders
Transacting Digitally – Using digital tools to set up accounts and pay for goods/services
Digital Security – Identify threats and keep digital tools safe
Handling Data Safely and Securely – Follow correct procedures when handling personal and organisational data.

What makes a good Early Childhood Development Student?

Students who succeed in Early Childhood Development are compassionate, organised, and want to understand how to help young people.

Please be aware that there are specific themes and topics that may be upsetting or difficult topics relating to the subject, such as child protection and welfare, safeguarding, and child abuse. Students will be required to study these topics, but there will be support available to students if the content is triggering due to life circumstances.

A good AAQ student is one who:

Can manage their time effectively, as there will be a number of deadlines throughout the two years
Is organised, as they will be working on multiple assignments and units simultaneously.
Can apply theory to practice, as this is a vocational course and will require students to contextualise their theory to scenarios involving practitioners

Enjoys wider reading, as completing the course will require students to carry out independent reading on the topics.

Where can Early Childhood Development lead?

Nursing – BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, Nursing – Child – BSc (Hons)
Teacher Training – Childhood and Early Years Studies BA (Hons)
Social Work – BA (Hons) Social Work
Psychology – Psychology BSc (Hons).