Through a combination of practical experience and written assignments, this BTEC tech award course provides learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for a career in the child care sector. The course gives students the opportunity to develop a range of personal skills and techniques, through a selection of units that are essential for successful performance in working life.

The course consists of 1 examined unit called ‘supporting children to play, learn and develop’ (worth 40% of overall grade) and 2 internally assessed assignment units (worth 60% of overall grade). Each internally assessed unit has specific assessment criteria that must be met in order to arrive at a grading decision for the unit as a whole. A final unit grade is awarded after all opportunities for achievement are given. Students must achieve all the assessment criteria for that grade. Therefore to achieve a Level 2 Distinction a learner must have satisfied all the Distinction criteria in a way that encompasses all the Level 2 Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria, providing evidence of performance of outstanding depth, quality or application.

The internally assessed units are ‘children’s growth and development’ which is worth 30% of the overall grade and ‘learning through play’ which is also worth 30% of the overall grade.