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.

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.

Leanne Doyle and Cathy O'Mahony, Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Cork College of Commerce, both are now studying in CIT.

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.

Amy O'Leary and Lisa O'Donovan, Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education, now studying in WIT and UCC

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!

Aisling Murphy and Aoife O'Donovan, Special Needs Assistant and Early Years Educator

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.

Yewnade Ladejobi, Bernadette Horgan, Amy Kelleher and Julie O'Sullivan

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.

Fiona Goff and Megan Gough

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.

Dawn Cairns, Your Content Goes Here

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.

Joanne Kenning and Katherine Barry, Now studying Montessori in UCC (Joanna) and working in KinderCare in Ballincollig (Katherine)

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.

Elizabeth Nokothula Emerhu, Now studying in CIT.