Early Learning & Care
The Early Learning and Care course is designed to equip the learner with the personal skills, knowledge and competence required for working with children in a professional manner, within Early Childhood Care and Education settings. The course aims to equip the learner with the necessary skills required for assisting children with General Learning Difficulties (GLD) and Specific Learning Difficulties (SPLD).
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
Level 5 – one year (September to May)
Level 6 – One year (part-time)
Those who prefer to finish after one year can achieve a Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care on successful completion of all modules. Alternatively, learners can progress onto Year 2 for a Level 6 Certificate which is part-time.
Entry Requirements
All applicants are required to meet with a member of the team to discuss and their suitability for the course. Applicants will be contacted about a day / time / location and what to bring.
Leaving Cert, including Leaving Cert Applied or an NFQ level 4 major award or equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English require proficiency at B2 (CEFRL). Applicants may wish to participate in a Level 4 Starter Course with English, to prepare them for this Level 5 programme.
A desire to work in the sector.
Mature learners welcome. Where an applicant does not have a Leaving Cert or Level 4, they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the course in an interview and by writing a short piece outlining their interest in a career in early learning and care.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of this course, students are qualified for employment as Child Care workers in Early Childhood Care and Education settings. On successful completion of the two years students will have the qualifications necessary for employment as pre-school leader and room leader rolls in Early Childhood settings.
Graduates from this course may gain entry to Year 2 in National College of Ireland’s BA in Early Childhood Education and also to Degree Programmes in a number of Institutes of Technology with related courses through the Higher Education Links Scheme.
Progression
ITB BA Early Childhood Care and Education (L7& L8)
TU BA Early Childhood Education
NCI BA Early Childhood Education
Further information
The college welcomes applications from qualified international applicants. International (non-EU) learners must comply with Irish immigration requirements and must present either a student visa or a letter of permission to remain in Ireland issued by the Immigration section of the Department of Justice. Non-EU applicants may be liable for an extra fee of €3654.
All courses are delivered through English. Learners are advised that to benefit from their chosen course they should be proficient in written and spoken English. Learners may be required to do an English Language proficiency assessment as part of the interview process.
Year 1: €50
Year 2: €50
Students undertaking any full time Further Education course may apply for a means tested maintenance grant. Application forms are available from www.susi.ie. Students from designated disadvantaged partnership areas may be eligible for financial assistance towards course charges.
Step 1 – Apply Online
When you complete your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email with login details, username and password, for your new account on our college applications system (Enrol). Please ensure you receive this email as it sometimes goes into spam/junk folders.
You will need to log into the college applications system (Enrol) regularly to manage your application to CDCFE. Please note that your login details must be kept, by you, in a safe and secure place as they will be needed to access your account each time.
Step 2 – Offer of Place
After applying, provisional places* are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Within 10 working days from the date of your application, your provisional offer letter will be uploaded to your Enrol account and you should receive a notification sms and email. To view it, please login using the Enrol login details found in the initial acknowledgement email you received after applying.
*This offer is provisional and is subject to places being available and any specific course requirements being met, such as an audition, sample artwork, specific Leaving Cert. Results, relevant experience, attending a meet & greet with the course coordinator, etc. Refer to the course entry requirement for the course you are applying for on the course page here.
Applicants to courses that have additional requirements will be contacted directly about how to fulfil the additional requirements e.g., uploading sample artwork, auditions etc.
Uploading of Sample Artwork for all courses in the Art & Design Department – “How To“
Login to your MIT account
Select the Documents TAB
Click on the “+” button and upload your 4 pieces of work. For specifications please check individual course pages. Please name each file with a suitable file name if possible. E.G. Sample piece 1 etc.
Step-3 – Pay a non-refundable Course Charge online to secure your place.
Once you have received your offer letter, you will need to pay a non-refundable €50 course charge in order to hold your place. Please go to the college website and click on the Pay Fees button (or you may login to your account in the usual way). This will take you to the login page of the college applications system. Please ensure you login to the Academic year 2024/25. Once you are logged in, select the Payments tab to pay the course charge. Failure to pay your charge by the given deadline may result in your application being cancelled and the loss of your place. Click here to login to your account and pay your charge.
Your login details are on the initial email you received after making your application.
Step 4 – Complete Registration
We will contact you during the summer with details on how to complete your registration. You will be required to upload your Academic certification, Leaving Certificate results etc., to your application account.
You are also required to upload proof of identity in the form of a photo of your passport or driver’s license. All of this will be checked and verified when you attend registration week in September (dates to follow).
Medical Card
Please upload a copy of your medical card if you hold a full medical card in your own right or you are the dependent child of a full medical card holder.
Uploading Documentation to your account – “How To“
Medical Card (if applicable)
Leaving Cert Results
Click on the “+” button and upload a photo/scan of the document. If possible please name the file e.g. Medical Card with your initials.
5M21473 Early Learning & Care Stage 1 (Level 5)
6M21471 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care
This course promotes the highest standards of good practice, equality of opportunity, an inclusive approach to curriculum development and respect for diversity in lifestyle, religion, and culture.
Course Content
Level 5
Early Childhood Growth and Development
Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulations
Professional Practice Placement in Early Learning and Care
Curriculum, Play and Creative Studies
Understanding Children with Additional Needs
Holistic Care of Children (Birth to 6 Years)
Level 6 Part-Time
Advanced Professional Practice Placement in ELC
Sociology and Social Policy in ELC
The Developing Child
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Inclusive Early Learning and Care
Supervision and Administration in ELC
Practice Placement
Learners must be Garda vetted before going on professional practice placement.
Learners must complete 150 hours of professional practice placement in a minimum of two settings: (1) working directly with children aged between 0- 2 years 8 months, and (2) working directly with children aged 2 years 8 months – 6 years.
5M21473 Early Learning & Care Stage 1 (Level 5)
6M21471 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care
Those who prefer to finish after one year can achieve a Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care on successful completion of all modules. Alternatively, learners can progress onto Year 2 for a Level 6 Certificate.
Certification
Certificate in Early Learning & Care Stage 1 QQI Level 5 (5M21473) – Year 1
Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education QQI Level 6 (6M21471) – Year 2
Coolock Campus:
Barryscourt Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.
Eircode: D17 T227
Tel: 01 848 1400
Fax: 01 848 1544
Email: coolock@cdcfe.cdetb.ie
Kilbarrack Campus:
Briarfield Villas, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5.
Eircode: D05 NR25
Tel: 01 832 2735
Fax: 01 832 6393
Email: kilbarrack@cdcfe.cdetb.ie
Raheny Campus:
Springdale Road, Raheny, Dublin 5.
Eircode: D05 XN65
Tel: 01 831 4677
Fax: 01 832 9405
Email: raheny@cdcfe.cdetb.ie