To be eligible for the Level 6 course, learners must have previously completed a Level 5 ECCE/ELC programme.

There are no written theory exams, making this early childhood education course more practical and accessible for professionals.

A minimum Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate standard of education or equivalent education or experience. An applicant whose first language is not English or who has not been educated wholly or mainly in the medium of English will be expected to reach, before commencing a programme, a suitable minimum level of competence in English in order to participate fully in the Programme.

Learners are required to demonstrate an English proficiency level equivalent to International English Language Testing Score (IELTS 5.5) and/or other recognised equivalent international English language test. Learners will be required to submit evidence of their English proficiency.

Professional Practice:

In order to successfully complete the programme, learner’s will be required to spend 150 hours, in two early learning and care settings, divided as follows:

Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 0 – 2.8 years
Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 2.8 – 6 years
Learner’s can spend the remaining 50 hours working with children across both age groups, however you must spend a minimum of 30 hours in the second service.

Here is a sample structure of what this Early Childhood Education course will look like:

Week 1: Student given access to the MOODLE page to begin their studies. There will be a recorded lecture for them to review. Learners will also have one hour tutor support this week via email.

Week 2: Webinar of 2/2.5 hours in duration – including overview of the module, overview of how the blended programme works and assessment criteria etc.

Week 3: 1 Hour tutor support via email, or where necessary TEAMS. Tutors may also upload a forum question which students have to engage with.

Week 4: Recorded lecture. Learners will also be directed to read specific units in their course notes.

Week 5: Webinar of 2.5 hours of course material. The webinar can be a lecture, a guided discussion or focused on a specific concept.

Week 6: Study week for students & tutor support, 1 hour for Q&A, assessment questions, additional information etc. This can be via email or where necessary through TEAMS.

*Academic Admin/Tutor will load module course material & reading list on MOODLE.

This Level 6 Early Childhood Education course is continuous assessment. Deadlines will be in place to submit your assignments.

Following successful completion of all required modules, you will receive a Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care QQI Level 6 Major Award.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. City College Dublin is registered with QQI to offer QQI programme awards in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

Work Placement is an integral part of the programme and specifically required as part of the Professional Award Standards. For the Level 6 programme, learner’s will be required to spend 150 hours, in two early learning and care settings, divided as follows:

Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 0 – 2.8 years
Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 2.8 – 6 years
Learners can spend the remaining 50 hours working with children across both age groups, however you must spend a minimum of 30 hours in the second service.

To complete this Early Childhood Education course effectively, you will need the following:

• A PC with Windows 8 or later or a Mac with OSX 10.5 or later.
• An internet connection with a speed of at least 10mbps.
• The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, set to accept cookies and pop-ups.
• Adobe Reader, to view content.
• Word processing software, such as MS Word or Google Docs.
• Some courses include video, therefore your computer must be capable of playing video and sound.

Key Objectives of the Programme:

• Understanding the role of sociology, social policy, and legislation in the Early Childhood Education sector.
• Applying diverse curricular approaches to lead playful and engaging learning environments.
• Developing strategies to support children’s holistic development through nurturing, child-centred pedagogy.
• Promoting inclusion, diversity, and equality in Early Learning and Care settings.
• Cultivating leadership skills to enhance quality and collaboration in ELC practices.
• Encouraging reflective practice among ELC professionals.
• This structured learning pathway prepares learners to excel in the field of Early Childhood Education, offering a comprehensive approach to professional growth and leadership within Ireland’s ELC sector.

This Early Childhood Education course introduces learners to foundational theories and key concepts in early childhood education, alongside practical skills essential for leadership roles in ELC settings.

Upon completion, graduates will have the ability to assess children’s holistic needs, design developmentally appropriate plans, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders. The programme empowers future ELC professionals to navigate the evolving landscape of early childhood education in Ireland, championing child-centred care and fostering critical thinking in their professional practice.

Learners can enrol directly in the Early Childhood Education Level 6 programme after completing the Level 5  Early Childhood Education course (either with City College Dublin or another institution).

Alternatively, enrolment can be facilitated through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). At City College Dublin, students benefit from 24/7 access to the City College Dublin eLearning platform, Moodle. This platform provides a wealth of resources, including course manuals, live webinars, videos, quizzes, and personalised tutor support. The user-friendly platform allows learners to submit assessments online and receive feedback conveniently through Moodle or a secure submission link.

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.