QQI Level 5 Early Learning & Care Major Award – New Enrolments
€1,450.00 — or €125.00 / month for 12 months
- Commencing – June 12th 2023
- Our brand new QQI Level 5 Early Learning & Care Major Award is aimed at learners seeking to commence a professional career in the Early Years sector working directly with children from birth to six years. The programme will facilitate learners with the opportunity of gaining employment as an Early Years Educator while also acting as a stepping stone for progression to other suitable further and higher education and training programmes.
- What QQI award do I receive? On successful completion of this programme, you will gain a QQI Level 5 Major award in Early Learning & Care (120 Credits).
- How is it delivered? This one year programme will be delivered Online and you will be expected to attend approx. 3 hours of Live Online Lectures each week (Mon-Fri) with some additional attendance Tutorials/Workshops to be held across some Saturdays over the duration of the programme.
- Is there a placement required? Yes, you will complete 150 hours of professional practice placement in a minimum of two ELC settings. Further details noted below.
- Do you cover insurance? Yes, we cover our Students work placement Insurance requirements and at no extra cost.
- How long is this Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning & Care? This programme will be completed over one year which equates to 40 weeks per year. You will undertake three semesters in the year (12 weeks each) and there will be scheduled breaks in between each semester. New programme intakes will take place each quarter commencing June 2023.
- What does it cost? The full major award programme fee is €1,450 and includes all documentation, lecturing, assessments, learner registration and QQI certification fees for this stage. No other hidden accreditation or certification fees to pay!
- There are also Easy Payment options of – €125 per month over 12 months with our unrivaled Easy Payment Plans. Enrol using your Debit / Credit Card or call us on (+353) 1 206 1828 to avail of this offer.
- Sector Requirement: The landscape for Early Years Educators to be recognised as a professional sector has created the need for change for all Early Years Education and Training programmes. Subsequently, this programme has been developed in response to the Professional Awards Type Descriptors (Annotations for Early Learning & Care Sectors at Levels 5/6) that were published in 2019.
Course Description
This brand new single stage programme leading to the new QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning & Care Major Award has been designed to meet the new professional award standards of Early Learning & Care at Level 5.
The programme comprises 4 modules to be completed over one year (full time) and aims to prepare learners for work as an Early Years Educator working under direction, and in preparation for progression as a Lead Early Years Educator.
Learners will acquire the knowledge, skills and competence that contribute to a modern early years’ educator who can work under direction, both independently and as part of a team, and is flexible, creative, and inclusive in their approach to promoting and supporting the holistic development of the child, from birth to six years.
The programme has been specifically developed to combine theory and practice-based training. Therefore, learners will be expected to apply all theoretical knowledge in practice which will be the focus of the practice placement module embedded across the programme.
Learners will complete a minimum of 150 hours of practice placement, working directly with children aged between 0 and 2 yrs. 8 mts. and/or working with children 2 yrs. 8 mts. – 6 years; with an appropriate balance between settings.
The programme offers employment opportunities as an Early Years Educator for those who achieve the full Level (5) major award. Learners will also have the opportunity to progress to the Level (6) Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care to advance their career as a Lead Early Years Educator.
The blended teaching and learning approach will be suited to those with responsibilities that do not enable them to undertake classroom-based training on a full-time basis and is intended to meet the needs of a diverse range of learner profiles and make accommodations for those who may already be working in the sector or in other vocations who wish to change career paths.
Course Details
Programme Objectives:
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To examine a range of Early Learning & Care theories and approaches that can enhance the overall holistic development of the child, within an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum, in line with current frameworks.
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To create awareness of the policies, procedures and practices which supports the overall health, wellbeing, development, and welfare (holistic development) of the child/children in accordance with national legislation and regulatory frameworks.
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To equip learners with the knowledges, skills and competencies to identify, support and respond to the planning and assessing of individual learning and care needs of the child, within a democratic and participatory pedagogy.
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To develop ECEC practioners who the individual rights and capabilities of the child taking account of diversity, equality, and inclusion while practising clear communication with all stakeholders
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To prepare the learner for engagement in professional practice, and to support learners in identifying and achieving their own personal and professional development plans.
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To develop academic and digitally literate learners capable of confidently using a range of technologies to support their learning and practice and source employment opportunities.
Module & Programme Structures:
Over the duration of this Level (5) Certificate in Early Learning & Care programme you will complete a range of modules which will link both theory and practice and will be assessed in a range of contexts. The full level (5) award consists of 4 modules totalling 120 credits.
Transfer and Progression to Further Studies:
- Learners who successfully complete this Level 5 Major Award in Early Learning & Care (ELC) may progress to the QQI Level 6 Early Learning and Care (ELC) Major Award.
- This Level 5 Childcare Major award programme is listed on the Higher Education Links Scheme, and, on successful completion, may be used to obtain access to a course at a higher level (e.g Level 7 or 8 on the National Framework). »Click here for further details.
Protection for Learners on this Level 5 Major Award:
As a course provider our policy on the protection for learners is subject to Section 43 of the Qualifications Act. This means that if, for whatever reason, we cease to provide the programme that is over 3 months in duration which you enrolled for, we have specific and legally binding arrangements in place to finish out that programme for you at no extra cost. All course fees for programmes over 3 months in duration are fully protected and secured by a Bond.
If we cease trading those learners who have not finished their programme will be fully protected by this Bond which will be automatically triggered and the fund that covers all Fees paid by learners will be transferred to QQI by our Bond Management firm to enable QQI provide further study options for these learners or the refund of fees most recently paid so that they can complete their programme and all of this will be at no extra cost to the learners affected.
Accreditation
- Following successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 5 Major Award in Early Learning & Care.
- QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. The Open College is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI awards in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland. Click here for details of the National Framework of Qualifications.
- Click here for more detailed Accreditation information.
- All Registration & Certification Fees are included in the course price.
Delivery Format
How does our online blended learning work?
This QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning & Care programme will be delivered by blended learning using a combination of suitable online teaching and learning activities consisting of a range of synchronous and asynchronous directed and self-directed study. These methods will be guided and supported through online lectures, tutorials, discussions, collaborative and independent learning.
Professional Practice Placement is a requirement at all stages of this programme, with a total of 150 hours (minimum) to be completed.
Over the duration of this one year programme all learners will engage in approx. 20-30 hours of study each week which considers a mix of directed, independent and work-based learning.
Suitable teaching methods will compromise a range of teaching and learning activities which includes Live Online Lectures that are intended for the direct teaching of core module topics, to support the learning process and to assist in the understanding of the module content while also encouraging peer to peer engagement and interactions.
Additionally, learners will engage in a series of online activities which will include pre-recorded video content, written content, discussion forums, presentations, uploaded readings, quizzes and exercises, all of which will all be hosted in the colleges eLearning system.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements / Prerequisites:
The pre-requisites for entry will consider each of the following:
- Leaving certificate, Level 4 certificate or equivalent in a relevant subject area and/or relevant practical experience. Mature students (over 23 years) may be exempt.
- Learners must be a based in Ireland and hold an Irish or UK PPS number.
- Learners will be required to undertake a practical supervised work placement (150 hours minimum) across a range of ELC settings.
- Learners will be required to participate in live online classes/webinars & periodic attendance workshops.
- Learners will be required to participate in placement monitoring visits (on-site and online) during their course.
- Be competent in both written and spoken English.
- English Language Requirement: Students entering programmes leading to awards at Level 5 are expected to be able to: be proficient at reading, drafting, preparing, and understanding information across a broad range of topics, including quantitative information. Any applicant whose first language is not English may also be required to demonstrate their level of English proficiency by completion of an appropriate recognised test such as IELTS achieving a score of 5.5 or higher.
- Garda Vetting is required for all Early Years placements and learners can apply for this through The Open College. Please check our FAQ’s page for more information on Garda Vetting and International Vetting if you have lived outside Ireland for 6 months or more.
- Certain assessments require completion of work, which must be observed and evaluated by a suitably qualified Supervisor or Line manager.
- Digital Literacy: as the programme will be delivered online, learners undertaking this programme must have basic IT skills and access to the necessary equipment which will enable them to successfully participate in the online activities i.e., computer, broadband, email, recording equipment necessary for some skills demonstration tasks, and where applicable any other specialised software/equipment.
- Reasonable accommodations will be considered for any learner who may have any additional needs or requirements.