This two-year program is designed to prepare students for professional roles and management positions within the rapidly growing childcare and early years sectors. By combining academic study with hands-on work experience, the course develops the essential communication, social, and caregiving skills required to support children in crèche and community settings.

This specialized Early Learning and Care (ELC) program focuses on the transformative impact of outdoor learning and nature-based play in early childhood development. It equips educators with the pedagogical tools to facilitate immersive, play-led experiences in natural environments, fostering physical resilience, emotional well-being, and environmental stewardship in young children. It builds the skills to support children's development through inclusive, engaging outdoor experiences.

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, skills 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.

Do you want to further develop your experience and knowledge in the childcare sector? Do you want the opportunity to become a room leader/supervisor in a creche?

This Advanced Certificate course will give you the skills to work effectively and confidently within a childcare setting. You will gain a deeper understanding of the early learning environment and develop skills to work well with staff and parents as well as children.

Within the college year, students are required to reach 150 hours of Practice placement; this will include block weeks at various times throughout the year.

The aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and competence in childcare in order to meet the standards set by the awarding body in the award specification for Early Learning and Care. This course provides students with the Level 5 certificate which is required to work in the Childcare sector. QQI results may be used to progress to Third Level education.

The aim of the Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and as part of a team, subject to direction and practice supervision, as a member of the early learning and care community of practice, providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from 0-6 years across a range of early learning and care settings.

This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to transfer and progress into further and higher education and training, and to Stage Two of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.