Early Childhood Education

Child Development Observation

Required. Child development observation using a recognised framework (Leuven Scales, EYFS Development Matters, HighScope COR, or equivalent) is the foundational early years skill — all subsequent planning and environment assessment is informed by what was observed. Qualified early years practitioner or setting supervisor confirmation required. Child fully anonymised. DBS clearance required. Genuine prerequisite for play-based planning (seq 20) — the activity must be planned in response to observed interests and developmental stage.

Play-Based Learning Planning & Delivery

Required. Play-based learning planning follows directly from observation — the activity plan must reference the specific observations from seq 10 (interests and developmental stage noted). Setting supervisor or lead practitioner written feedback on the activity and facilitation required. DBS clearance required. Genuine dependency on child development observation (seq 10).

Early Years Environment Assessment

Elective. Environmental assessment against a recognised quality framework (EYFS in UK, NAEYC Accreditation Criteria in US, National Quality Standard in Australia, or equivalent). 3 strengths + 3 development areas with specific evidence. Setting manager written confirmation required. DBS clearance required if direct child observation occurred during the assessment.

Parent & Family Engagement

Elective. Designing and implementing a real parent/family engagement strategy — written plan, real implementation artifact (newsletter, stay-and-play session, family meeting), anonymised participation evidence, and setting manager attestation. No family identifying information in submission. DBS clearance required.

Early Years Professional Portfolio

Elective. Structured professional portfolio covering at least 4 documented early years practice experiences. Each entry: child-led learning moment identified, practitioner response and rationale linked to early years pedagogy (Vygotsky, Froebel, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, or equivalent). Placement supervisor or setting lead sign-off with written assessment. Fully anonymised. DBS clearance required. Integrating capstone proof for the path.

Free UK EYFS statutory framework — the primary curriculum and assessment framework for early childhood education in England (ages 0-5). Covers the 7 areas of learning, the observation-assessment-planning cycle, and the characteristics of effective learning. Use as the developmental framework for observation and planning steps.

Free overview of the Leuven Scales — an internationally recognised structured observation framework for assessing children's well-being and involvement in play. 5-point scales with behavioural indicators for each level. Use as the observation methodology for the child development observation step.

Free NAEYC position statement on developmentally appropriate practice — the foundational US framework for early childhood education, covering child development knowledge, learning environment design, and family engagement. Use as the theoretical grounding for play-based learning plans and environment assessments.

Free overview of the Reggio Emilia approach — a widely referenced early childhood pedagogy emphasising child-led inquiry, documentation of learning, and the environment as 'the third teacher'. Use as a pedagogical reference for play-based learning planning and portfolio reflection entries when connecting to early childhood theory.