Course Summary
Early childhood education and care involves supporting babies and young children to become competent and confident learners through loving relationships with others. Children require high-quality education and care during their formative years.
Research indicates that the higher the professional qualification of the educator working with the children, the higher the quality of the setting and the children’s experiences in it.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Note: It may also be possible to do an Erasmus+ Programme allowing you to study abroad for a
period of at least 2 months to 12 months. This study can be through English or through your
language of choice � please check with your course coordinator to see if this is possible
for this course.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
PLC Progression Links
This course will accept All PLC (QQ/FET) Level 5 or 6 Major Award as an entry requirement.
Click on the link below for a List of PLC Courses Directly Related to this Career Sector
This Information is Correct for 2025 Entry
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found
HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
Professional employment opportunities can include roles as room leaders, managers and leaders
in early childhood settings such as: pre-schools; crèches; special needs services; family support centres and community services.
Opportunities may include leadership roles in county childhood care committees, specialists with Better Start National Early Years Quality Development or inspectors with the Department of Education and Skills.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.