Early Childhood Development (BTEC Level 3)

Applications Open – 3PM Thursday 26th November 2026

Applications Close – August 2027

Entry Requirements – For Level 3 courses, students must have 5 or more Grade 4s at GCSE. No minimum entry for Level1/2 courses

How to Apply – Please apply via KentChoices

Learning about child development is vital for any professional working with children, whether that be within the education, health, or social care sectors. It gives you a background of the key theories which will inform all aspects of your understanding of how children develop from birth, up to the age of eight years. You will then be able to use this understanding to inform your work and provide the best for the children.

You will investigate the approaches to ensure a safe environment is in place, supported by policies and procedures to control and prevent the spread of infection. You will learn how to recognise hazards, address health and safety risks and respond to emergency situations in children’s care and education (0 to 8 years) settings. It is important that you know how to safeguard children, including ways to empower them so they become confident in protecting themselves. You will discover how to ensure children are safe when using technology online and how to protect the rights of the child in relation to safeguarding measures. You will also need to know the correct procedures for responding to concerns about abuse.

Play is an important way in which children learn and develop. In this unit, you will learn about the types of play and the opportunities that should be made available to children at different ages and stages of development. You will consider why play is important and how it supports children’s learning and development. You will explore the development of children’s understanding and skill development and the role of the adult in supporting these.

Year 12

Children’s Development (External)

Play and Learning (Internal)

Year 13

Keeping Children Safe (external)

Research and reflective Practice in an Early Childhood Setting (Internal)

Plus visits to care settings over the duration of the course

4 GCSE’s at 4 or above to include English, Maths and Science, a Level 2 in Health and Social Care would be advantageous but is not essential.

What could this qualification lead to?

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)