Childhood Development and Playwork

Childhood development and playwork is a discipline concerned with how children grow, learn and flourish, and with the role that play, relationships and environment play in that process. It draws on developmental psychology, sociology, education and social policy to examine how children develop across the physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains, and it pays particular attention to play as a fundamental mode of learning and self-expression. Playwork as a professional field is concerned with creating and supporting environments in which children can play freely and creatively, and it is underpinned by a distinctive set of values about children's autonomy and rights.

At Leeds Beckett University, this part-time programme gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and professional competence while continuing to work or manage other commitments. You will engage with theory and research on child development alongside the practical and ethical dimensions of working with children in play, education and care settings. The programme includes work-based learning opportunities with experienced supervisors in a range of child-focused contexts, which means your academic study is directly connected to real professional practice from the outset.

A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to broaden your understanding of how different cultures and societies approach childhood, play and children's services.

You will develop a critical understanding of contemporary issues in childhood, including safeguarding, inclusion, social inequality and the policy frameworks that govern children's services in the UK. The ability to observe, reflect on and respond to children's needs in a principled and evidence-informed way is a central aim of the programme.

Graduates typically move into careers in playwork, early years education, family support, youth work, social care, and community settings that serve children and families. The reflective and analytical skills the degree develops are also relevant to management and advisory roles in children's services, and further study at postgraduate level in childhood studies, education or social work is a well-established pathway.