Overview of GCSE Child Development

The CCEA GCSE Child Development 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, by focusing on these key areas:

• pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn baby;

• the responsibilities involved in parenting and other family roles; and

• the social, physical, intellectual, communication and emotional development of small children, including their dietary, health and educational needs.

GCSE Child Development is exam based - There are two written exams, each worth 30% of the overall mark, and one Controlled Assessment task, worth 40%. 

Unit 1: Parenthood, Pregnancy, and the Newborn Baby - Written exam worth 30%

Unit 2: The Development of the Child (0-5 Years) - Written exam worth 30%

Unit 3: Investigation Task - Controlled Assessment worth 40%