Guide to
Childcare Education & Training
In County Carlow
Introduction
Early Childhood Care and Education is an increasingly adapting and growing field in Ireland.
Progressively more parents and guardians require quality childcare facilities and the childcare
sector in Ireland is becoming more regulated. The National Childcare Strategy (2006-2010)
aims to develop childcare infrastructure through the development of a strategic programme
for standards and training in childcare. Therefore, there are more opportunities now than ever
before to pursue an interesting and challenging career in childcare.
Why Train in Childcare?
Having a formal qualification can give you the skills and confidence to work in a variety of
childcare settings and can give you wider options in pursuing a career in childcare.
Further training or education, in addition to working in childcare can also complement
valuable experience and knowledge gained through working directly with children. As a result,
formal training is an evermore important requirement for childcare practitioners.
This booklet aims to provide a summary of the potential training and types of career paths in
the childcare sector. The different areas of professions in childcare and awards in third level
education are explained. Types of awards in third level education are explained also. The
guide goes on to explain various qualifications which can be undertaken in childcare and also
which career paths these qualifications will lead the student towards.
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Possible Professions in Childcare
Childcare
Assistant/
Room Assistant
Special Needs Assistant
Preschool Services
Experience &
Qualifications
Supervisor/
Room Leader/
Team Leader
Manager of
Childcare Facility/
Childcare Provider
I already have a qualification in childcare - is there more training or education I could do?
There are a number of options open to childcare workers depending on the level of qualification already received and the career path you wish to take. For example, if you have a basic
qualification you may wish to upgrade your skills and improve your career prospects by doing
a more advanced course. If you are interested in progressing to third level, it is worth noting
that a FETAC Level 5 (formally level 2) Certificate means that you can apply for a place in a
number of higher education institutions (which is elaborated further in the guide).
Childminder in
own home
Support & Development
Worker
Family Support Worker
Other Services
Experience &
Qualifications
Tutor/Lecturer
(further education or
third level institution)
After Schools Worker
PlayTherapist/
Play Specialist
Youth Project Worker
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Model Framework for Education, Training & Professional Development
in ECCE in Ireland (2002)
A Model Framework for Education, Training and Professional Development in the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector was published in 2002 to enable childcare professionals to
identify clearly ‘where they are’ in respect of their own professional development. This can in
turn allow the childcare professional to plan for their future professional development within
the sector. The model recognises that flexibility regarding the routes to achieving each stage
in the profession is possible.
The Model Framework suggests five stages of professional development for those in the childcare sector:
Practitioner Level
Skills and Knowledge
Basic Practitioner
Ability to carry out routine tasks.
Directed activity under supervision.
Intermediate Practitioner
Ability to carry out varied range of tasks in limited
range of different contexts.
Responsibility for own actions under direction.
Experienced Practitioner
Ability to select from broad range of skills
appropriate of contexts.
Responsibility for quality of services, limited responsibility
for work of others.
Advanced Practitioner
Perform effectively in wide range of contexts
involving creative and non-routine activities.
Full autonomy and responsibility for own actions
and those of others.
Expert Practitioner
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Engage in planning, policy development, research
Complete autonomy in professional activities
Framework of Qualifications and Awarding Bodies
The current framework for qualifications in Ireland developed in response to a need for a more
flexible and integrated system of qualifications that could accommodate all needs in education and training. Three new organisations were developed in Ireland in 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act (1999). These include:
• The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI)
• The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)
• The Higher Education and Training Council (HETAC)
The NQAI has developed the National Framework of Qualifications which is a ten level system
that incorporates awards made for all stages of learning, whether it is gained in schools, the
workplace, the community, training centres, colleges or universities.
The following diagram outlines the different awarding bodies under the National Framework of
Qualifications and lists which awards they grant and the level at which it is recognised under
the framework:
Source: www.nfq.ie
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Education & Training
There is an extensive range of accredited courses available for potential and practising childcare professionals. The table below provides a guide to training available for various levels of
practitioners (as outlined by the Model Framework). The table indicates which level different
childcare professions fall under, what qualifications are necessary to achieve such a position
and some possible courses that are available to become a childcare practitioner.
Possible Courses
Available
Practitioner
Level
Job
Title
Basic
Practitioner
Room Assistant/
Childcare Assistant/ Room
Leader
Home Care Attendant/Home
Support Worker
Level 5 or Higher
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Childcare
Special Needs Assistant
Level 5 or Higher
FETAC Module in Special Needs
Childminder
Level 5 or Higher
FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Childminding
Practice
Intermediate
Practitioner
Team Leader
Level 5 or 6 or Higher
FETAC Level 5 or 6 Certificate in Childcare
Naionra Leader
Level 5 or Higher
FETAC Level 5 + Irish Language Module
Experienced
Practitioner
Supervisor
Level 6 or Higher
FETAC Level 6 Certificate in Childcare
Residential Childcare Worker/
Childcare Manager / Family
Support Worker
Level 6 or Higher
+ Training in
Management Skills
FETAC Level 6 Certificate in Childcare
B.A in Early Childhood Studies
B.A. (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in
Social Care
Montessori Teacher/Manager
Montessori 3 yr Degree or
Higher
B.A. in Montessori Training
Manager/Youth Project
Worker/ Residential Team
Leader
HETAC Degree/Equivalent or
Higher
B.A. (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in
Social Care
B.A. in Early Childhood Studies
Play Specialist/Play Therapist
HETAC Diploma/ Equivalent
+Play Specialist Course
Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic
Play Skills
Support and Development
Workers/Advisory Officers
Degree or Higher
B.A (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in
Social Care
B.A. in Early Childhood Studies
Tutors/Lecturers
Masters
MA. in Education
MA. in Social Science
Information Research/
Facilitation/
Strategic Planning
Masters or Higher
As above
Advanced
Practitioner
Expert
Practitioner
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Suggested
Qualification for Role
The following educational institutions provide most of the courses indicated in
the table on the previous page…
Name & Address
Institute of Technology Carlow
Kilkenny Rd
Carlow
Details
HETAC Level 8
B.A. (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Duration: 4 years
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-9170401
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.itcarlow.ie
Carlow College
St. Patricks
College Street
Carlow
HETAC Level 6
Higher Certificate in Arts in Applied Social Studies
Duration: 2 years
HETAC Level 8
B.A. (Hons)Applied Social Studies in Social Care
Duration: 1 year (in addition to higher certificate)
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-9153200
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.carlowcollege.ie
Colaiste Eoin
Hacketstown
Co. Carlow
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Childcare
Duration: 2 years
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-6471198
Tullow Community School
The Mullawn
Tullow
Co. Carlow
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Childcare with Special Needs
Duration: 2 years
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-9151473
Muine Bheag Vocational School
Mount St. Joseph
Tullow
Co. Carlow
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Childcare
Duration: 1 year
Carlow Institute of Further Education
Kilkenny Rd
Carlow
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Childcare
Duration: 1 year
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-9721335
FETAC Level 5
Certificate in Community and Health Services
(Special Needs Assistant)
Duration: 1 year
FETAC Level 6
Certificate in Childcare
Duration: 1 year
CACHE Level 3 (U.K.)
Diploma in Childcare and Education
Duration: 2 years
CACHE Level 3 (U.K.)
Certificate for Teaching Assistants
Duration: 1 year
For further details contact:
Tel: 059-9131187
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.carlowife.ie
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From FETAC to HETAC…
FETAC graduates are eligible to apply to Institutes of Technology and Universities for follow-on
courses. The following Institutes of Technology and Universities provide courses in Social Care
and Early Childhood Studies:
• Carlow Institute of Technology
• Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Dublin Institute of Technology
• Limerick Institute of Technology
• Cork Institute of Technology
• Waterford Institute of Technology
• Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
• Institute of Technology Sligo
• Athlone Institute of Technology
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin
• NUI Maynooth
(It is important to note that course content may vary between different educational institutions)
FAS Training
FAS is another key provider of childcare training. It has run accredited childcare courses in the
South East for unemployed people since the 1980’s. Community Employment (CE) is a scheme
which provides eligible unemployed people with an opportunity to engage in useful work
within their communities, including the childcare setting, on a temporary basis. It helps
long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce through a return to a work
routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills. Local
organisations/groups (for example, a community childcare facility) that plan and manage
Community Employment projects will provide you with work opportunities. You will be provided
with work for one year for an average of 39 hours per fortnight. Your sponsor will arrange your
hours in consultation with FAS. Some participants may be re-engaged for a further year by
sponsors, with FAS agreement. Childcare places on the CE scheme, however, are limited. For
further information on a CE scheme in Carlow, contact FAS Carlow on 059-9142777.
(source: www.fas.ie)
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Additional Training Courses
In addition to the accredited courses available to childcare practitioners outlined, there are
many childcare training courses offering practitioners the opportunity to update their skills and
knowledge on an ongoing basis. These courses may include for example, Behaviour
Management, Policy and Procedures Training, First Aid Refresher Courses to name a few.
This Training is provided by the following agencies:
Carlow County Childcare Committee
16 Dublin Road
Carlow
059-9140244
St Catherine’s Community Centre
St.Joseph’s Rd
Carlow
059-9138700
Back to Education Initiative (BTEI)
Meadow Court
46 Burrin Street
Carlow
059-9139532
Carlow Institute of Further Education
Kilkenny Road
Carlow
059-9131187
The information given in this guide is correct at time of print, however some details may have changed. Please
contact the relevant body for up to date information.
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