Course Description
Childcare and Special Needs Assistant
Dunboyne College of Further Education
Childcare / Special Needs Assistant
QQI Level 5/6 Early Learning and Care
WHAT IS CHILDCARE?
This two-year course will aim to prepare
participants 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 and
IT colleges throughout the country and
the UK. Successful applicants can also gain
employment as a Special Needs Assistant
sin a range of educational settings. This
programme is ideal for both school leavers
and experienced mature persons seeking a
formal education.
COURSE CONTENT
A theoretical approach to childcare and
special needs assisting will be complemented
by practical experience.
Level 5 – Year 1
• Professional Practice Placements in Early
Learning and Care
• Legislation, Regulations and Children’s
Rights
• The Developing Child
• Curriculum, Play and Creative Studies
• Understanding and Assisting Children
with Additional Needs
• Holistic Care of Children
Level 6 – Year 2
• Advanced Professional Practice
Placements in Early Learning and Care
• Sociology and Social Policy in Early
Learning and Care
• Developmental Psychology
• Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Supervision and Leadership in Early
Learning and Care
• Inclusive Early Learning and Care
• Administration in the Early Learning and
Care Sector
CERTIFICATION:
• 2 Year QQI Level 6 in Early Learning
and Care (option of exiting after year
1 with a QQI Level 5)
• First Aid Response
• Child Protection Online Course
| Course Code | 5M2009 |
| College Name | Dunboyne College of Further Education |
| Course Category | Education, Special Needs Assistant Training |
| Course Type | Classroom Based |
| Course Qualification | Level 5 Certificate |
| Course Location | Meath, UK |
| Delivery mode | Classroom based |
| Course Start Date | 20th September 2021 |
| Course End Date | 20th May 2022 |
| Course Duration | One Year |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| Title of Awarding | QQI Level 5 in Early Childhood Care & Education 5M2009 |
| Entry Requirements | ENTRY REQUIREMENTS • Leaving Cert or LCA • Mature students of all backgrounds • Other equivalent qualification All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications. Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie |
| Career Path | 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 TU Dublin - Blanchardstown, IT Carlow and many other IT colleges around the country. Students can 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 can access the 175 places in First Arts in Maynooth University, or progress to Social Care/Social Study degree programmes in TU Dublin and Primary School Teaching. EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRESSION: Maynooth: MH801 Early Childhood Teaching and Learning (Level 8, 3 Years) TU Dublin – Blanchardstown: TU993 Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 8, 4 Years) Marino Institute of Education: CM020 Early Childhood Education (Level 8, 4 Years) TU Dublin – City Campus: TU995 Early Childhood Education (Level 8, 3 Years) DCU: DC001 Early Childhood Education (Level 8, 4 Years) Sunderland University (UK): Entry to Year 3 of BA in Childhood Studies (Level 8, 3 Years) |
