Childcare: Stage 1 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care with Special Needs (Level 5)

LOCATION:

Onsite at Mallow Campus

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and as part of a team, subject to direction and practice supervision, as a member of the early learning and care community of practice, providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from 0-6 years across a range of early learning and care settings, as well as an opportunity to work as a special needs assistant.

This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to transfer and progress into further and higher education and training, and to Stage Two of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.

This programme leads to a new QQI award, the Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care (5M21473).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• CAO points not required. Leaving Certificate, LCA, QQI Level 4 qualification or equivalent. For mature applicants appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.

• All applicants will be required to attend an application review and Garda vetted. Police clearance is required for non-Irish nationals. Minimum English language and literacy competence at entry to the programme for speakers of English as a second language would be B2 in writing, reading, listening and speaking.

• An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the minimum entry requirements set out here, and satisfactory presentation at an application review.

APPLICATIONS:

Applications open. Places available. No deposit required to start your application.

DURATION:

One year. Full-time. Class timetables to follow in September, and subject to change.

Erasmus+:

50 full-time day students will travel, fully-funded, with Erasmus+ to another European country for 2 weeks. Find out more and apply.

CERTIFICATION:

• QQI Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education, Level 5 (5M21473).
• Manual Handling Certificate.
• Children First Certifcate.

COURSE CONTENT:

Courses are continually developed, content and specific award components are subject to change. See disclaimer HERE.

GARDA VETTING:

This course requires participants to be Garda vetted. Continued participation on the course and work placement is dependent on the successful completion of this process.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Students will undertake 150 hours of Professional Practice in a minimum of 2 early Years of Early Years settings per annum. The settings will include birth -2 yrs 8 months, and 2 yrs 8 months to 6 years. All Professional Practice placements must be carried out with an ELC provider currently registered with TUSLA. Learners must be garda vetted before going on the placement. Learners must complete the current Children First E-Learning programme before going on placement.  

EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES:

Advance to Stage 2 level 6 in Early Learning and Care at Mallow Campus. Use your full QQI award to progress to degrees in Early Childhood Education, Montessori Education, Social Care, Community Development, and Arts. For more links and detailed information on how to use your Mallow Campus qualification click HERE.

A full QQI award achieves a maximum of 390 points for CAO.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Job opportunities for students who complete this course include:

• Childminder
• Crèche assistant
• Montessori assistant
• Playschool assistant
• Special needs assistant

TESTIMONIALS & HIGHLIGHTS:

Stage 1 & 2 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care with Special Needs

Course Overview