This revised specification is a broad, coherent course on the development of babies and small children (0–5 years). It encourages students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills, including practical skills, in these key areas:

• pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn baby
• the responsibilities involved in parenting and other family roles
• the social, physical, intellectual, communication and emotional development of small children, including their dietary, health and educational needs.

Students develop subject-specific skills such as evaluating feeding options for a baby, and transferable skills such as analytical problem solving. They also learn about relevant scientific and technological developments.