Below is the sample Early Learning and Care Course Structure, split into Level 5 and Level 6 awards:

Certificate in Early Learning and Care Course Major Award – QQI Level 5

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 2.5 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.

Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Course Major Award – Level 6

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 2.5 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.

1. Certificate in Early Learning & Care QQI Level 5
2. Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Major Award Level 6

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 programmes leading to QQI awards in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

The objectives of the Advanced Certificate in ELC are:

1. To provide learners with an understanding of the role of sociology, social policy and legislation applicable to the ELC sector
2. To equip leaners with the knowledge to utilise a range of curricular approaches and early childhood theoretical perspectives to lead a playful learning environment.
3. To develop a range of skills and strategies to provide for and support children’s holistic development through a nurturing and child-centred pedagogy.
4. To develop the skills and values to promote inclusion, diversity, and equality within the ELC environment.
5. To equip learners with the leadership skills to promote quality and collaborative ELC practices and provision.
6. To facilitate learners to become reflective ELC 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.

Work Placement

Work Placement is an integral part of the programme and specifically required as part of the Professional Award Standards.  For Level 5 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.

Garda Vetting is a legal requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the vetting of persons carrying out work with children or vulnerable persons.

Students must complete the Garda Vetting process before commencing work placement.

Students who have spent more than 6 months living outside of Ireland will need to provide a copy of their Police Clearance Certification for all international addresses that they have lived at, before starting placement.

You will need access to the following for our Early Learning and Care Course:

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

Certificate in Early Learning and Care Course QQI Level 5 Major Award

Our new Early Learning and Care Course Level 5 program is designed to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to care for and educate children from birth to six years old. You’ll learn to work independently or as part of a team, under practice supervision, providing holistic care and enriching learning experiences across a variety of early learning and care settings. Additionally, this program helps you develop as a member of the professional community in early learning and care. Upon completion of the Early Learning and Care Course, you may have the opportunity to progress into further or higher education and training. At City College Dublin, students have 24/7 access to our eLearning platform, Moodle, throughout the course. Moodle provides a wealth of resources, including comprehensive course manuals, live webinars, instructional videos, quizzes, and personalised tutor support. The course is designed to be user-friendly and easy to follow.

Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Course – Major Award, QQI Level 6

The Level 6 Advanced Certificate is tailored for Early Childhood professionals and the children they work with. This program builds on the foundations of Level 5, enabling you to develop the knowledge, skills, and competence to work as an autonomous practitioner under practice supervision. You’ll be prepared to promote and support the holistic needs of children from birth to six years and to take responsibility for managing a room or area within an early learning and care setting. The Level 6 program introduces key concepts and theories in Early Childhood Education and Care, equipping you with the skills to lead a room in an early learning setting. Upon completing the course, you’ll be able to assess the holistic needs of children, create developmentally appropriate plans, and interact effectively with various stakeholders. This program aims to provide future Early Learning and Care professionals with the tools to navigate the evolving landscape of early childhood education in Ireland, ensuring best practices and care for the children in their charge while encouraging critical thinking about their professional roles within their communities. Learners can enrol directly in the Level 6 program if they have completed the Level 5 course, either at City College Dublin or another institution. Enrolment via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is also available.

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