Course Overview

Are you interested in working as an early learning practitioner? This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work competently, safely and effectively with young children in a childcare setting.

This programme will enable learners to develop the knowledge, skill and competence to work as an early learning educator, supporting the holistic needs of children 0-6 years in the early learning and care setting. This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to progress into further and higher education and training.   

Course Entry Requirements:

• 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.

• "All learners are required to be Garda vetted, by the college, as part of this programme and as part of their work placement in a creche setting. It is important that applicants understand the need for Garda clearance in order to progress in this course".  

Modules List

Note: In order to progress to the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care, Level 6, learners must successfully achieve all of the Level 5 programme modules

Professional Practice Placement 

Professional practice placement:

• Learners must complete 150 hours of professional practice placement in each year 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.

• Learners must be Garda vetted before going on professional practice placement

• Learners must pass the professional practice placement elements in each year.

Careers and Opportunities 

There are employment opportunities for graduates of the programme as Early Years Assistants in a range of early learning and care settings both community-based and private.

Further Study Opportunities

Student Testimonials / Where are they now? 

Some of our graduates progressed onto degree courses in Early Childhood Education. Others continued onto the Level 6 Supervision course in Cathal Brugha Fet College and are now in managerial positions in childcare settings. A small number have gone on to set up their own childcare businesses.

" I really enjoyed the Certificate Early Learning and Care course. The overall course gives you a great insight into the career of an Early Childhood Education Practitioner. There are 6 modules within the course and all have a great dept of information. The teachers went above and beyond for  you to help.  They also pass down information  about there careers to help us progress. My favourite module from the whole course was Understanding and Assisting children with Special Needs I learned lots of really interesting information. I am now advancing my study by studying the Advanced Certificate in Early learning and Care. I would definitely recommend the Certificate in Early Learning and Care". 

Adam Owens.