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

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 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 in Early Childhood Care and Education. Learners will need complete a total of 8 modules to achieve the award.

The programme duration is a combination of directed and self-directed learning activity including work placements. Please see “Location & Dates” for schedules and attendance times.

Some of the many benefits of studying with us on this Major Award Programme:

• Pricing: Our Prices can’t be beaten – Why Pay more for the same QQI Award!
• All student fees for this Major Award are fully secure and protected by a Bank Guarantee.
• Interest Free Easy Payment Plan available with this course.
• Our tutors are industry experienced and fully qualified.
• We only offer FETAC/QQI awards thus ensuring high Quality and Standards.
• Transparent Pricing – We publish our Prices!
• Gain your Award within 12 months. Our Programme is not stretched out and classes run during the summer.
• Work placement Insurance can be covered by us in certain circumstances. Ask for details.
• Garda Vetting service available.
• Group Discounts Available: Enrol 2 + people together for €1,534 per learner (a further discount of 7% per person on the existing special offer price).

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. These will tend to opt for the part-time learning route to achieving the award. The programme will be open to both male and female learners although male participants will be in the minority. It will also attract learners from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Students must complete 8 Mandatory Modules

• Child Development
• Early Care and Education Practice
• Early Childhood Education and Play
• Child Health and Well Being
• Communications
• Children with Additional Needs
• Social Studies
• Work Experience

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 – 5M2009.