WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

This course is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of practitioners already working in the area of child care and education with under 5s. The course looks in depth at children’s development and how best to support this. It also includes a personal study skills development unit. It is not suitable for those with no, or very limited, knowledge.

LENGTH OF COURSE

Each unit (1 – 8) will consist of 20 guided learning hours. 10 of these hours will be taught and students will also be working on the assessed tasks for the unit which will account for an additional 10 hours of work.
For Unit 9 (Practical Training and Assessment) students must have access to a work setting either as a paid or voluntary worker. Over the length of the course each student must complete a minimum of 400 hours in a setting with children of an appropriate age.



ASSESSMENT

The course will be assessed by a series of written and practical tasks. A candidate must successfully complete ALL written and practical tasks before the Diploma can be awarded. All candidates will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence of their practical skills competency.

• Written tasks will be set and marked internally
Practical skills will be assessed by competent persons in the workplace
• A competent person is someone who holds a recognized child care qualification at level 4 or above.

THE SYLLABUS

Unit 1 Study and Research skills

This unit will help you to develop good study skills including referencing techniques, skim and speed reading and efficient note taking. It will help you to use the internet and other information sources to develop and increase your knowledge. You will also carry out a small scale research project which will help you to understand how to collect data, how to store and manage it and how to draw valid conclusions.

Unit 2 Physical development 0 – 5 years

This unit will look in detail at the normal pattern of physical development for children from birth to five years. It will look at factors affecting development from conception to birth and examine some of the latest findings regarding risks to pregnancy and birth.
It will examine ways to support the development of gross and fine motor skills from birth and factors which may positively or adversely affect the development of these skills. It will consider the ‘maturation’ theory of physical development and consider its implications for practice. It will look at how cultural factors may affect a child’s development. You will learn how the development of physical skills has a direct bearing on development in other areas.
You will be encouraged to consider ways of enabling children with physical disabilities to be included in the normal routine of the setting.

Unit 3 Social and Emotional Development

This unit will look at some major theories regarding the development of social skills and emotional maturity. You will be encouraged to consider how the cultural environment affects development. You will learn about the effects of deprivation on development.
The unit will also teach you about behaviour management and consider how parenting styles may affect a child’s attitude and behaviour.

Unit 4 Intellectual and Language development

This unit will examine various theories concerned with intellectual development and will consider the behaviourist, constructivist and social-constructivist views. It will also look at some of the newer theories being developed and consider how all these may affect practice. You will learn about the historical context and how ideas about children and education have evolved.
The development of language will be reviewed in the light of relevant theory. You will learn about the link between language and learning and how to recognise the development of pre-reading and pre-writing skills.
The unit will also examine theories of intelligence and consider how these ideas have affected the delivery of education.

Unit 5 Play and Learning

This unit will consider the centrality of play to children’s learning and will look at some of the major theories of play. It will enable you to recognise the learning that is taking place in play situations and show you how to provide situations which will foster and encourage learning through play. You will learn how to manage children’s play and how to cope with ‘unwanted’ play behaviours. You will consider the importance of the play environment and how to provide situations which support play. You will learn about age and stage appropriate activities and how to select equipment which is free from bias and stereotyping.

Unit 6 Child Protection

This unit will teach you how to recognise and deal appropriately with suspected cases of child abuse. You will look at the historical context and consider how some landmark cases have influenced current legislation both in Malta and in the rest of Europe.
You will learn about the signs, symptoms and types of abuse. You will learn how to report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities. You will learn what to do in the case of disclosure by a child and the importance of confidentiality in such cases.
You will be encouraged to consider how best to support a child who is suffering abuse and how to liaise with other agencies who may be involved with the child and his or her family.

Unit 7 Child Health

You will look at best practice in the care of children form birth to five years You will consider ways of maintaining children’s health including, a well balanced diet, appropriate exercise and physical activity and emotional well-being. You will need to consider recent and relevant theory in these areas. This unit will also develop and extend your knowledge of common childhood illnesses and conditions, their management and treatment.

Unit 8 Managing an Early Years Setting - The Legal Framework

In this unit you will consider relevant management theory, looking at various management styles. You will also look at theories regarding teamwork and its importance in a well-run setting. You will consider recent, relevant Maltese and EU legislation which affects the delivery of child care and education, looking in particular at how legislation shapes and frames best practice.
This unit will stress the importance of anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of work with children and their families and will consider how legislation underpins such practice.

Unit 9 Practical Training and Assessment

This unit will enable you to demonstrate your levels of competence in working with children of varying ages. You will be expected to complete a series of practical tasks in a child care setting. These will be assessed by a senior person in that setting. You will also be visited at your workplace by your tutor. You cannot be awarded the diploma if you fail to satisfactorily complete this unit.