Early Childhood Care & Education (Major Award 5M2009 QQI Level 5)

Course details

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has announced that from September 2015 all staff in existing childcare services must have a level 5 qualification in early childhood care and education, and team leaders will have to have a Level 6 qualification (or equivalent).

This QQI / FETAC Level 5 Childcare Major award Programme is designed to prepare you to work in a supervised role, competently, safely and effectively with children aged 0 – 6 years. The course is designed to emphasise the integrated nature of work with young children. It will also prepare you to work in a wide range of settings with different professionals and volunteers, recognising and valuing the importance of all of them in providing a service for children and their families. This childcare programme is also structured to provide Graduates with the opportunity to progress to specialised courses in higher education.

The programme leads to the QQI Level 5 major award 5M2009 Early Childhood Care and Education. Learners will need complete a total of 8 modules to achieve the award.

This distance learning, QQI accredited course means that Students can study flexibly at home, or at any convenient place and time, and can gain a nationally accredited Qualification. Students receive a comprehensive Course Manual, Assignments, Efficient Studyguide, and unlimited one-to-one Tutor Support for the course duration.

The course documentation for this course is detailed and easy to read. If students require extra time to complete the course they can apply for an extension. Assignments may be emailed or posted to the College whichever is more convenient.

Who should complete this course?

The programme will cater for a variety of adult learners ranging from school leavers with no previous experience in the ECCE sector to more mature adults with relevant life or work experience. Some of the latter will have previously had some education and training in childcare. More mature adults will frequently be seeking new career opportunities, be working in the home or currently working in the child care sector.

Mandatory – All of the following components (90 Credits):

• Child Development
• Early Care and Education Practice
• Early Childhood Education and Play
• Child Health and Well Being
• Work Experience
• Communications

Choose Any Two of the following components (30 Credits):

• Special Needs Assisting
• Human Growth & Development
• Social Studies
• Nutrition
• Approaches to Early Childhood Education
• Legal Practice and Procedures
• School Age Childcare
• Children with Additional Needs

Entry Requirements / Prerequisites:

• Level 4 Certificate, or Leaving Cert, or equivalent, or relevant life and work experience.
• Garda Vetting is required for all Childcare placements and students can apply for this through The Open College. Please ask for details.
• Certain assessments require completion of work, which must be observed and evaluated by a Supervisor or Line manager.
• If you take this course by distance learning the course material will be posted to you. You can complete and return assignments/projects which must be typed rather than handwritten either by post or by email.
• As this programme is delivered through distance learning or eLearning, students must be capable of studying on their own initiative.
• If you take this course by eLearning you will need basic IT skills and have access to broadband.

Progression to further Studies:

• This course leads to a level 5 award on the National Framework of Qualifications.
• Students who successfully complete this programme may use this Level 5 award towards completing the FETAC Advanced Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education – 6M2009.