Childcare - Early Learning & Care - Stage 1
| Award Name | First Aid Response |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | PreHospital Emergency Care Council |
| NFQ Level | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Aid Response | PreHospital Emergency Care Council | ||
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year (Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care).
Entry Requirements
Student Requirements:
The following requirements are necessary to access and successfully complete the programme:
150 hours work experience in a minimum of 2 settings catering for children aged (0 – 2 years & 8 months) and (2 years & 8 months to 6 years)
Garda Vetting
English Language and Literacy Competency
Careers / Further progression
Progression & Career Options
Successful graduates can opt to go directly into the world of work in nurseries, playgroups, creches, with private families or work as an AIM Assistant in an Early Years Setting. Alternatively, graduates may opt to continue to Stage 2 of the programme to complete the QQI Level 6 Early Learning and Care course within DIFE or progress to related degree courses in:
TU Dublin (City Campus)
DKIT Early Childhood Studies
TU Dublin (Blanchardstown Campus) - Early Childhood Education
DCU -Early Childhood Education
Marino Institute of Ed. - Early Childhood Care
AIT - Social Studies, Early Years and Childhood Studies
UCC
Maynooth University - Arts, Social Science, Early Childhood Teaching and Learning (Part-time) Business, Law
This course also provides common entry to a range of other courses in Institutes of Technology.
Further information
Course commences September 2024.
Mature Student entry
Mature students with relevant experience or related qualification or an interest in the area
Student Registration Fee €200
QQI Exam Fee €50
Course Fees/Materials TBC
DIFE Total €250
DIFE is committed to keeping the cost of accessing all courses in the college to a minimum for students. Most students can secure funding assistance from various sources including SUSI or the Back to Education Allowance Scheme.
All fees must be paid with a credit/debit card online through the admissions portal. All fees must be paid prior to course commencement in September.
Refunds
All requests for refunds relating to registration fees must be made by emailing dife@lmetb.ie. No refunds will be made by DIFE after the first Friday in October of the relevant academic year.
Exemptions
€200 Registration Fee: No exemption. This fee must be paid by all students to secure a college place.
SUSI
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students for all Level 5 and Level 6 courses in DIFE. Support is available to all types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education.
For more information see the SUSI Website. https://www.susi.ie/
Back to Education Allowance
If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, you may take part in a course in DIFE and get a Back to Education Allowance.
For more information see the DSP Website.
Further Information
For further information on the range of schemes and financial supports available to support students in Further Education please see the following Student Finance Page.
https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/
Students should apply online through the college website: www.dife.ie
Applications are accepted from the 1st of December each year. The first round of interviews are held in March. Students applying after the March interviews will be interviewed in late May and those applying after May will be interviewed in late August/early September. Interviewees will be invited for interview via text and email, so it is important that a working mobile number and email address are carefully recorded on application.
Note: There are no application fees applicable and all applications are made through www.dife.ie. (see "Application Weblink").
Application Procedure for International Students
DIFE welcomes and values students from all over the world. All courses in DIFE are conducted through English. All students must prove that they have the sufficient competency in English prior to commencing a programme of study. The following administrative arrangements also apply:
- All international students must provide appropriate identification documentation and comply fully with the residency requirements of the Irish Government.
- Non-EU citizens will be required to pay an economic fee as determined by the Department of Education and Skills.
- Applications can only be made by Non-EU citizens if they are resident in Ireland at the time of application.
- This fee is presently €3,653 per year (subject to change). Some categories of Non-EU citizens may be exempt from the economic fee.
- The college will not engage in any way in the process of visa application.
Registration
Registration for all students takes place in late August/early September. Students will be notified by post in advance of their registration day. Students will not be officially registered with the college until all fees are paid or proof of exemption status is submitted e.g. copy of SUSI grant approval, medical card or proof of Back to Education allowance.
Aim
This is a one-year full-time course designed to provide students with the knowledge, practical skills and competence required to pursue a career in the Early Learning and Care sector. The course will enable learners to acquire the skills, knowledge and competences to work both independently and part of a team in an Early Learning practice providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from birth to six years of age. The course is suitable for both school leavers and experienced or mature students seeking a formal qualification.
Professional Practice Placement in ELC
Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulations
Holistic Care of Children (Birth to 6 Years)
Early Childhood Growth and Development
Curriculum, Play and Creative Studies
Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs
Option to repeat Leaving Certificate Irish
Additional Qualifications:
People Handling
Infection Control
Tulsa Child Protection Course
Option to repeat Leaving Certificate Irish (for future entry to Professional Masters in Primary Teaching).
5M21473 – Early Learning & Care (Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care).
Award: 5M21473 – Early Learning & Care (Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care.
Contact Admissions Office or Course Co-ordinator,
Drogheda Institute,
Tel: 041 983 7105
Web: www.dife.ie
email: dife@lmetb.ie