Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus (CEC) (2019)
Find out more about the Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus (Content Endorsed Course) (2019) and access teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2028
The new Child Studies 7–10 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2028.
• 2026 and 2027 – Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
• 2028 – Start teaching new syllabus
School sectors are responsible for implementing syllabuses and are best placed to provide schools with specific guidance and information on implementation given their understanding of their individual contexts.
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the PDHPE syllabus development page.
About the course
The course offers learning in child development, family influences, health and safety, nutrition, and childcare services, as well as the impact of media, technology, and culture on young children (0–8 years).
Child Studies aims to develop in students the knowledge, understanding and skills to positively influence the wellbeing and development of children in the critical early years in a range of settings and contexts.
The Child Studies CEC Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.
The syllabus includes a range of modules that provide flexibility for schools to design and deliver a course in Child Studies that meets the needs and interests of their students. Modules should be between 15 and 30 hours' duration.
The syllabus modules are:
- Preparing for parenthood
- Conception to birth
- Family interactions
- Newborn care
- Growth and development
- Play and the developing child
- Health and safety in childhood
- Food and nutrition in childhood
- Children and culture
- Media and technology in childhood
- Aboriginal cultures and childhood
- The diverse needs of children
- Childcare services and career opportunities
Throughout the course, students will develop skills that enhance their ability to:
- support a child’s development from pre-conception through to and including the early years
- positively influence the growth, development and wellbeing of children
- consider the external factors that support the growth, development and wellbeing of children
- research, communicate and evaluate issues related to child development.
Content Endorsed Course
Course number(s):
- 38103 Child Studies 200 hours
- 38104 Child Studies 100 hours
- 38107 Child Studies Life Skills 200 hours
- 38106 Child Studies Life Skills 100 hours
Exclusions: Students may not access both the Child Studies outcomes and content and the Child Studies Life Skills outcomes and content.
Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Child Studies in Stage 4 and/or Stage 5. The outcomes and content have been designed at a Stage 5 level.
100-hour course
A 100-hour course should be structured in the following way:
- A minimum of 3 modules, with each module being between 15 and 30 hours’ duration.
- Schools can include 1 school-developed module to address an area not covered in the Board developed Child Studies modules.
- It is not necessary to cover all content in selected modules.
200-hour course
A 200-hour course should be structured in the following way:
- A minimum of 6 modules, with each module being between 15 and 30 hours’ duration.
- Schools can include 2 school-developed modules to address an area not covered in the Board developed Child Studies modules.
- It is not necessary to cover all content in selected modules.
Information about curriculum requirements for the RoSA are available on Assessment Certification Examination (ACE).
Assessment information and support
Teaching and learning support
Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.
The Life Skills outcomes worksheet can be used to collect information on the outcomes that a student has achieved before recording them in Schools Online.