Early Learning and Care (2 year) 5M21473/6M21471

CERTIFICATION
• Year 1 – Level 5 Early Learning and Care 5M21473
• Year 2 – Level 6 Early Learning and Care 6M21471
• First Aid Response
• Child Protection

WHAT IS CHILDCARE?
This two-year course aims to prepare students for work with
young children in the rapidly expanding world of childcare
and crèche supervision/management.
The childcare worker needs social, communication and
caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Childcare
will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work
experience to put learning into practice. This course will
serve as training for crèche/ community care/healthcare
industries or as a link to childcare or early childhood
education courses in many universities throughout the
country and the UK.
Successful graduates can also for positions as a Special
Needs Assistant in a range of educational settings. This
programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced
mature persons seeking a qualification in this area.

COURSE CONTENT
A theoretical approach to childcare and special needs
assisting will be complemented by practical experience. The
following modules will be offered subject to availability or
demand and are subject to change:

Level 5 – Year 1
• Professional Practice
Placement in Early
Learning and Care
• Children’s Rights,
Legislation and
Regulation
• Holistic Care of Children
0-6
• Early Childhood Growth
and Development
• Curriculum, Play and
Creative Studies
• Understanding and
Assisting Children with
Additional Needs

Level 6 – Year 2
• Advanced Professional
Practice Placement in
Early Learning and Care
• Sociology and Social
Policy in Early Learning
and Care
• The Developing Child
• Curriculum and
Pedagogy
• Inclusive Early Learning
and Care
• Supervision and
Administration in Early
Learning and Care

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates may pursue level 7/8 Early Childhood degree
courses in Maynooth University, DCU, University of
Limerick, UCC, Marino Institute of Education, as well as, in
TUD Blanchardstown, South East Technological University
Carlow. Graduates may apply to progress to Year 3 of Early
Childhood degrees in many UK Universities.
Students may also seek immediate employment in a range
of childcare centres, classrooms or community initiatives.
Early Learning and Care graduates may be eligible to access
the 175 places in First Arts in Maynooth University or
progress to Social Care/Social Study degree programmes in
TUD and Primary School Teaching.

EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION
PROGRESSION:
Maynooth University: MH003 Early Childhood Teaching
and Learning (Level 8, 4 Years) – Advanced entry to Year
2 with QQI Level 6 Qualification. MH101 Arts (Level 8, 3
Years)
TUD Blanchardstown: TU993 Early Childhood Care and
Education (Level 8, 4 Years)
Marino Institute of Education: CM020 Early Childhood
Education (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUD City Campus: TU995 Early Childhood Education (Level
8, 3 Years)
DCU: DC001 Early Childhood Education (Level 8, 4 Years)
St. Nicholas College: NM801 Montessori Education (Level
8, 4 Years)
DCU: DC235 Education and Training (Level 8, 3-4 Years)
SETU Waterford / Carlow: SE911 Early Childhood Care
and Education (Level 8, 4 Years), SE913 Early Childhood
Education and Care (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUD Blanchardstown: TU790 Early Childhood Care and
Education (Level 7, 3 Years)
DKIT: DK876 Early Childhood Studies (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUD Tallaght: TU989 Early Childhood Care and Education
(Level 8, 4 Years)
Sunderland University (UK): Entry to Year 3 of BA in
Childhood Studies (Level 8, 3 Years)
Graduates from this programme are eligible to apply
directly for various degree programmes in most UK
universities.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature Students
• Other equivalent qualification
• All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous
qualifications and must successful complete a literacy
assessment as part of the entry process. To successfully
complete this programme students must have a 80%
attendance rate each year. Entry to Year 2 is conditional
on successful completion of Year 1.

Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie