Looking at unit R058 of our Cambridge National in Child Development

Sarah Millington, Health and Social Care and Child Development Subject Advisor

In this blog I’ll talk through the key aspects of R058. I’ll explain what each task in the unit covers and address questions that have arisen during the first two terms of delivery.

This unit focuses on safety within childcare settings and what needs to be considered when planning and providing a safe and nurturing environment for babies and young children. Topic areas will look at:

• why accidents happen and how to prevent them
• choosing appropriate equipment
• dietary recommendations for babies and children
• functions and sources of nutrients
• explaining food choices for babies and children to provide the right nutrition
• how to plan and prepare a feed and meal.

Task 1: Choose essential equipment

Based around Topic area 2 within the specification, students should be researching independently to find enough information about equipment that is essential within a child care environment. They will be comparing and explaining the suitability for each piece of equipment, considering the factors identified in the assignment. The research carried out should allow the student to be able to evaluate each piece and give a reason why they would select or reject it.

Task 2: Identify and prevent accidents

Using teaching content from Topic area 1, students will plan how to make an area within a childcare setting safe and give reasons behind their design and decisions. Information about the setting and the area will always be identified within the set assignment published each year. The plans must be completed independently and can be drawn by hand, using a computer or if they wish, by creating a small cardboard model.

It is sometimes useful for students to be able to visualise a childcare setting before they plan. This does not mean they need to visit a setting: you can now find 360 virtual tours of childcare settings, which help students to see how it is laid out and why planning and safety is important.

Task 3: Recommend healthy meal choices

Tasks 3 and 4 help to apply and show knowledge learned from Topic area 3, looking at nutrition for babies and children and being able to choose appropriate foods that provide the right nutrients. A good understanding of the government guidelines for nutrition will help students to understand how nutritional needs can be met with the meal they have chosen.

It is important that students understand how the nutritional needs of babies and children change with age and what nutrients they need, why we need them and where they can get these nutrients.

Task 4: Plan, prepare and evaluate a feed or meal of your choice

Students will prepare a feed or a meal of their choice. If they are preparing a feed they can use any formula milk. If they choose to prepare a meal, this needs to be the meal they recommended in Task 3. It is key that students show their understanding of how to use equipment, prepare ingredients accurately and work safely and hygienically during the practical.

It’s important to note that this assignment has been designed so that you do not need access to a specialised food room – it can be completed in a classroom.

Additional evidence

A centre will need to submit evidence for the planning and observation for the feed and or meal choice. The teacher observation record should be completed and submitted alongside other evidence such as photos or digital recordings.

There’s more information about the teacher observation record and supporting evidence in section 6.3.6 of the specification.

Synoptic learning and assessment

Some of the learning across the unit is synoptic and will draw on the knowledge developed in unit R057. You can find information about synoptic assessment in section 5.2 of the specification and a section at the end of each NEA unit shows these synoptic links.

More information

You will find all resources on Teach Cambridge, including scheme of work, curriculum planner, FAQs, progress tracker and candidate style work. The live assignment will also be published on Teach Cambridge each year for centres to access securely.

Stay connected

If you have any comments or questions, you can email us email us at OCRHealthandSocialCare@ocr.org.uk or tweet us @OCR_Health. You can also sign up to subject updates and receive information about resources and support.

About the author

Sarah joined OCR after teaching Health and Social Care and Child Development over a period of 16 years. Having been a teacher, subject lead and moderator within her career, she has planned and developed subjects to meet the need of her students to allow them to become independent learners, focusing on effective teaching and learning skills. She has experienced and survived several qualification changes: GCSEs to Cambridge Nationals, and A Levels to Cambridge Technicals. In her spare time she enjoys open water sea swimming, travelling and cooking. Pie and cake are key favourites.