The Early Learning and Care Certificate Stage 1 is a part-time course for those already working in childcare or those who wish to work with children.
The specialist teachers on this course take a student-centred approach to learning and use a variety of teaching methods. promoting and supporting the holistic needs of children 0- 6 years.
Professional Practice Placements in early year’s settings working with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers form a vital part of this course. The course is offered on a part-time basis requiring attendance on 2 days per week from 9:30am-3:30pm.
Garda Vetting is required for Professional Practice Placement and all of our placements must be in Early Learning and Care settings that are registered with TUSLA.
Course Coordinator: Miriam Dunne
The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI)
The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time further education courses for young people and adults. Those in receipt of unemployment payments or means-tested social welfare benefits, holders of medical cards and their dependants are entitled to free tuition. Others will be required to pay the appropriate college fees.
Year 1
Year 2
Course content may be revised for educational or organisational reasons.
QQI Level 5
Certificate in Early Learning and Care Stage 1 5M21473
Additional Certification
Manual Handling
TUSLA Children First Certificate
Minimum Entry Requirements
Learners with no formal qualifications will be invited to interview and a short written assessment.
English Language Proficiency
International applicants must have evidence of B2 proficiency in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Testing will be offered.
In order to progress to Year 2 of the course, you must successfully achieve all of programme learning outcomes associated with Year 1.
On completion of the Stage 1 after 2 years, course learners may progress to the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Stage 2.
You will find you are highly employable as a Graduate of the Stage 1 course as Early Years Assistants with opportunities to progress to Room Leader in a range of early learning and care settings, both private and community based.
“Once I walked through the door I realised the hardest part was walking through that door. I grew more confident from the time I started. The course has done so much for me. It has improved me so much. I now work with children in a different way.”
The course has done so much for me. It has improved me so much. I now look at and work with children in a different way.
