If you’ve completed your Stage 1 Early Years and wish to graduate with the Level 6 professional award then this is the course for you. Young minds and hearts depend on the professionalism of those who care for and educate them and children with extra needs deserve the best.
Students will undertake 150 hours of Professional Practice in a minimum of 2 early Years of Early Years settings per annum. The settings will include birth -2 yrs 8 months, and 2 yrs 8 months to 6 years. All Professional Practice placements must be carried out with an ELC provider currently registered with Tusla. Learners must be garda vetted before going on the placement. Embedded in this course are extra training opportunities.
Stage 2 (Advanced Certificate in ELC)
- 6C21517: Advanced Professional Practice Placement in Early Learning and Care: The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with knowledge, skills and competence required to engage in an advanced personal and professional capacity to work independently and as part of a team in ELC settings, in line with legislation, policy and frameworks with an emphasis on the management of relationships with all stakeholders.
- 6C21518: Sociology and Social Policy in Early Learning and Care: The purpose of this module is to enable learners to examine sociology, social policy and associated legal responsibilities, frameworks, and guidelines to support children, their families and other stakeholders working autonomously and as part of a team in ELC settings
- 6C21519: The Developing Child: The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills, and competence relevant to the theory and practice of the developing child while working autonomously and with all stakeholders in the ELC sector.
- 6C21520: Curriculum and Pedagogy: The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with knowledge, skills and competence required to utilise a broad range of inclusive pedagogical approaches in ELC, through the media of curricula, theory, practice, and assessment.
- 6C21521: Inclusive Early Learning and Care: This purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill, and competence to support inclusive education and care of all children including children with additional needs or who are dual language learners or who are new to the community while working autonomously and with others in the ELC setting.
- 6C21522: Supervision and Administration in Early Learning and Care: The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence required to supervise and to undertake administrative duties in ELC settings using effective communication strategies with all stakeholders including professional organisations and funding scheme providers.
Additional Training/Workshops
- Blackrock Castle Observatory Field Trip: A morning excursion using a science perspective, to incorporate Aistear Siolta interconnected themes describing children’s learning and development with Well-being; Identity and Belonging; Communicating; and Exploring and Thinking. Equipping students with the skills/resources to think outside the box about how they could bring more scientific creativity into their settings.
- Child Paths Training Certificate: students continue their learning on use of the Child Paths Educational Software App. Additionally, the students gain an understanding of the features within it, for example documenting children’s attendance, medicine administration, sleep, nappy changes, and using Aistear and PILES for the child’s overall holistic development. Students then get hands-on experience to practice using the software as part of the training on college iPads. All students who successfully complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Child Paths and Morrison’s Island Campus.
- Paediatric First Aid Training: The course gives the Early Years learner the knowledge and skills in Paediatric First Aid. The content includes the responsibilities of a First Aider, how to undertake CPR for Child and Infants and how to react in an emergency. Additionally, child and infant choking, bleeding first aid, dealing with unconscious children and infants, febrile seizures, Epilepsy, Diabetes and Asthma are also covered. Finally, meningitis and poisoning, fractures and soft tissue injuries and burns first aid is addressed. To successfully complete the course learners will have to demonstrate correct CPR practice and defibrillator use. At the end of the course the students will receive certification in paediatric first aid for two years.
- ELC Student Conference in association with Cork City Childcare: An off campus opportunity where our students can mix with and learn from current ELC professionals.Topics discussed are broad and wide and vary from year to year.Previous speakers ranged from Interactive Arts Piece – The Simplicity of Paper as an Early Year’s creative arts medium to AIM and the role of the AIM worker in an EY setting.
- Manual Handling Training and Certification (requirement for work experience): Manual handling training is required under Regulation 13 of the 1993 (General Application Regulations) and 1993 Manual Handling Regulations. This training programme is aimed at providing all persons at work with proper techniques when lifting, carrying, loading, pushing and supporting. It provides employees with good work practices such as proper lift Manual Handling Techniques.
Learners can progress to the ELC Level 6 award if they have achieved the ELC Level 5 award. Recognition of Prior Learning is available for advanced entry. Please contact RPLELC@ccoc.ie for more information. Participants are required to be Garda Vetted. Police Clearance is required for non-Irish Nationals. An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory presentation at interview.
Progressions currently being negotiated at national level, including advanced progressions
Supervisory roles in Early years settings and within organisations which require leaders to manage & provide childcare places, i.e charities, hotels,etc. SNA positions in primary schools.
- Duration: September to May
- Fees: €370 including QQI examination fees. (Medical card holders exempt from €80). See Payment for details.
- Certification: QQI Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care 6M21473
- Work Experience: Students will undertake 150 hours of Professional Practice in a minimum of 2 early Years of Early Years settings per annum. The settings will include birth -2 yrs 8 months, and 2 yrs 8 months to 6 years. All Professional Practice placements must be carried out with an ELC provider currently registered with TUSLA. Learners must be garda vetted before going on the placement. Learners must complete the current Children First E-Learning programme before going on placement.
Email: advancedchildcare@morrisonsislandcampus.ie Tel: (021) 4223835
Or send us your contact details and your query.
Leanne Doyle 062NA “I have moved on to CIT, where I am studying Social Care. I adjusted to CIT really easy, especially with assignments, as I was so prepared and way more confident from attending the two years in the College of Commerce.
Cathy O Mahony 062NA” I have progressed onto CIT, where I am now studying for a BA in Early Years Education and Care. The two years that I completed in the College of Commerce have given me such a knowledge boost, especially with my assignments. My teachers were so supportive and you always got the help you needed.
Amy O’Leary: I have progressed onto WIT where I am now studying for a BA in Early Years Education and Care. The two years that I completed in the College of Commerce have given me such knowledge and I feel like I have a great head start in WIT, especially with my assignments, as these are not not so daunting. My teachers here were so supportive and funa nd you always got the help you needed.
Lisa O’Donovan: I have moved on to UCC, where I am studying a BA in Early Years Education and Care. I adjusted to UCC really easy expecially with assignment, even with the larger classes, as I was so prepared and way more confident form attending the two years in the College of Commerce.
Aisling Murphy: I am working as a Special Needs Assistant. The course, especially the module “Children with Additional Needs” provided me with invaluable experience and help to prepare me for my job.
Aoife O’Donovan: I am working as an Early Years Educator in a pre-school in Bantry. I got this position from my work placement. This course really provided me with great practical experience that I now carry out in my setting. This was a great course and it definitely prepared me for getting this job. Also my class group was so nice, we all became great friends!
Yewande Ladejobi: I am now working in Go Safari, Cobh Cross. I loved the course, especially Child Development and Equality and Diversity, as I learned so much that is helping me to support the children. All my teachers were so helpful, kind and supportive.
Bernadette Horgan: I am working in a pre-school; they took me on from my work placement. The teachers here are fantastic, they really set you up for employment. I learned so much about myself this year and of course all practical routines and activities that I carry out with the children.
Amy Kelleher: I am working full time n HighCare Childcare in Ballincollig. I completed my work experience placement there and they then offered me a full time job. I carry out so many activities in the creche that I learned from doing this course. I found it so beneficial and so very rewarding now as I am doing what I love.
Julie O’Sullivan: I am working in a preshcool in Douglas. I did my work experience there and they offered me a full time job. This course has taught me so much and I have gained so much experience and knowledge that I now use in every day in my work setting. I really enjoyed my time in the College of Commerce as the teachers were so supportive and helpful as well as having a great laugh.
Megan Gough: I loved the course so much that I am now continuing to study the Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education in the College of Commerce. My teachers are so kind and friendly and really believe in us, supporting us all the way.
Fiona Gough: I really enjoyed this course and my time in the College of Commerce. The college has great teachers who are so helpful and offer continuous supprt throughout the year. You never feel on your own.
I really enjoyed my time at the College of Commerce. There is a lovely atmosphere where it makes learning easy to do. I have learned so much from all my modules, especially the Special Needs Assisting module which I really fell I got a great insight into children. This course is so beneficial for my professional and now my personal life.
Joanna Keating: I am currently studying Montessori in CIT. The College of Commerce has helped me so much to adjust to CIT with regard to studying and organising myself. There is such a nice learning atmosphere here and the class sizes are nice and small. There is a wonderful personal time with the teachers here. I really enjoyed this.
Katherine Barry: I am currently employed by KinderCare in Ballincollig. My teachers were very supportive and helped me throughout the year. The class size was fantastic and we really benefited with great time from our teachers. The course really prepared me for working with children. I am now applying what I learned in college in my setting every day.
I really loved my time in Cork College of Commerce. I have progressed to CIT whre I am enjoying Montessori so much. At first I found it difficult but with the great support I got from my teachers, I got through it. My teachers were so passionate about Montessori. It just motivated me so much, I want to continue with my Montessori studies.