Early Learning & Care - Stage 1
This course will equip learners with the skills required to gain employment in a variety of childcare settings but particularly in the pre-school setting.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
38 weeks.
Entry Requirements
General
- Applicants must be 16+ years of age on entry to the course.
- Leaving Cert, LCVP, LCA or QQI Level 4 Major Award is essential.
- Mature applicant route available for applicants aged 23+.
- Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).
- Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
- Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme and participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Garda vetting process.
Specific to Early Learning & Care:
- Demonstrate an interest in working with children.
- Experience working or volunteering in a childcare environment is an advantage but not essential.
Careers / Further progression
What are the progression opportunities?
If you complete a QQI major award with Kerry College, you may use your results to progress to third level (University, Technological University or Institute of Technology). You should check individual university websites for specific entry criteria for courses.
There is a separate section on the CAO application for applying using your QQI results from Kerry College in the same way you use your Leaving Certificate results. You may also apply under the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS). A limited number of places are available each year.
What are the employment opportunities?
A professional qualification in ELC is required to work in the childcare area. The successful candidate would be qualified to work as an early years practitioner. After schools practitioner, AIM’s practitioner roles may also be available to qualified practitioners
Further information
Start Date: 09/09/2024.
Learners on full-time programmes at Kerry College have a number of funding options.
1. DEASP (Department of Employment and Social Protection). Contact your local INTREO office.
2. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Apply at: www.susi.ie
If eligible, learners may only receive one of these payments while participating on a Kerry College full-time programme.
Learner Allowance
Also known as a Training Allowance.
To avail of a Learner Allowance, an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying DEASP payment at course start. Allowances/payments are based on attendance and are paid by Kerry College directly to learners for the duration of the course. You may also receive accommodation or travel allowance if you meet the criteria.
back to Education Allowance
To avail of a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) the applicant must apply directly to the DEASP. BTEA is paid by DEASP directly to learners for the academic year. There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance.
SUSI Grant
SUSI is a maintenance grant available only for courses that are SUSI approved. Payments are made directly to the learner in the form of grants to cover the academic year.
There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance. A full-list of eligible course along with details on how to apply is available on SUSI.ie.
No Payment
A learner who is not eligible for Learner Payment, BTEA or SUSI may still apply and participate on any Kerry College course.
Courses for employment offer travel or accommodation support payments, if criteria are met.
Funding towards Travel, Accommodation and Meals
At present, learners on courses for progression do not qualify for travel/accommodation/meal payments. These payments relate only to learners on courses for employment. Learners may receive Travel or Accommodation Allowance - but not both. Your payment will be calculated and processed at course registration.
Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is a contribution towards the learner’s cost of travel based on the distance from the learner’s primary place of residence to the campus location.
To qualify, learners must live more than 3 miles/5km away from the campus location they are attending. Travel Allowances are not payable to participants on Night Training courses.
Accommodation Allowance
An accommodation allowance may be paid to learners who need to relocate in order to attend a course for employment.
To qualify, learners must live more than 20 miles/32km away from the campus location they are attending. For up to date information on this, please see: kerrycollege.ie/learner-information
National Childcare Scheme
The NCS (National Childcare Scheme) provides childcare supports for those on full-time education and training programmes. Full details can be found on the www.ncs.gov.ie webpage.
You may apply via your MyGovID account or contact Kerry County Childcare Committee at 066 718 1582 to discuss which childcare supports are available to you.
Applications for all full-time programmes should be made online via the Kerry College. Your application will be processed using our FETCHCOURSES system. If you haven't signed up for a FETCH account, you'll need to do this first. It's free and a one-time setup.
Courses for Employment
Become work-ready with our range of employment-focussed education and training programmes.
Primarily for those looking to work in childcare supervision and childcare management. This is the stage 2 year of the ELC Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care.
Why should I apply?
- Graduates may opt to continue their studies to the QQI Level 6 Early Childhood Care and Education at Kerry College.
- Progress to Early Childhood Care and Education at MTU – Kerry Campus or the B.A. in Early Childhood Care and Education at Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick.
What will I study?
Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulation (5C21524)
Curriculum, Play and Creative Studies (5C21527)
Early Childhood Growth and Development (5C21526)
Holistic Care of Children, 0-6 Years (5C21525)
Professional Practice Placement in Early Learning and Care (5C21523)
Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs (5C21528)
5M21473 - Early Learning and Care.
Contact the Kerry College Admissions Office on 066 714 9696 or info@kerrycollege.ie