Level 5 Major Award Advanced Certificate
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Certificate in Early Learning and Care (5M21473)
The QQI title of this level 5 major award is Certificate in Early Learning and Care (5M21473). It comprises of 6 component awards which amount to a combined total of 120 credits.
The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work independently and under supervision in a range of Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings and or to progress to higher education and training.
Do you have a passion for supporting young children to learn, grow and thrive during their most important early years? If so, you’re in the right place. Our Early Learning and Care Team are here to support you as you prepare for this most fulfilling of journeys!
Access to the Programme
Mature Applicants with relevant life and work experience are welcomed. Our Course Advisor is available to meet with prospective learners to discuss and advise on the course details, career and academic opportunities and assess your suitability for the course.
Entry Criteria
Entry criteria / prerequisites Level 4 Certificate / Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) or relevant life experience detailed in a current Curriculum Vitae (CV). Please provide details and attach a copy of either a current CV or Certificate. Learners must be a resident of Ireland / based in Ireland.
Learners applying to study on the 5M21473 programme must have a National Vocational Certificate (Level 4), Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning in the context of appropriate work/life experience, detailed in a CV and with supporting documentation, will also be considered.
Modules
The total credit value required for this certificate is 120. This will be achieved by completing:
All of the following components
Learners will be able to:
Starter Pack - Level 5
Opting to do a Starter Pack in Early Learning and Care offers you a gentle introduction by focusing on just 2 carefully selected component awards (modules) from the full ELC Level 5 Major Award programme. These modules provide a solid foundation in core areas of Early Learning and Care, and can give you the chance to gain confidence, and explore your interest in the field.
It gives you a real taste of what working in Early Learning and Care is like, all while earning credits you can carry forward if you choose to continue.
Take your first step towards a career in Early Learning and Care for €399 upfront, or 8 biweekly payments of €51.63.
Important Note: Completing the Starter Pack of two modules does not qualify you to work in an Early Years setting. To achieve your full, qualifying award, you must complete all six modules of your Level 5 Stage 1 Certificate in Early Learning and Care (Course Code 5M21473). Should you decide to continue studying for your full Level 5 Award, your two Starter Pack modules go forward towards your full Award.
Finisher Pack - Level 5
Once you have found your footing, you can move on to the Finisher Pack. This comprises the 4 remaining modules to achieve the full QQI Stage 1 Certificate in Early Learning and Care Level 5 (120 credits).
By taking this staged approach, you can go from ‘interested’ to ‘qualified’, with minimal risk and maximum support. Finish your Stage 1 Certificate in Early Learning and Care for €799 upfront, or 12 biweekly payments of €69.91.
At Forus Training, we are proud to offer Ireland’s most flexible training delivery methods — so you can choose a learning style that works best for you. We believe learning should be flexible, accessible and suited to your lifestyle or professional needs.
Your Early Learning and Care Course is available in your choice of Online Anytime or Live and Online training delivery options::
Self-paced learning means you can learn in your own time and on your own schedule with one on one classes with a trainer set by you. We call this learning delivery format Online Anytime.
This option is ideal if you have other commitments and can’t attend live classes or training sessions. Self-paced learning allows you to learn in a way that suits your own learning style and progress at a pace that feels right for you.
All course materials are available from the start, through our online Learning Management System (LMS), allowing you to study at your own pace wherever and whenever suits you best. You decide how quickly or slowly you move through the content.
You will receive a link giving you access to the online course. The content will guide you step by step through your course. You will watch and listen to narrated PowerPoint presentations, view videos, and complete activities and quizzes to support your learning. This is perfect for self-motivated learners who prefer to manage their own progress.
You will have access to a discussion forum, where your Trainer will share additional resources and information, and where you can engage with the learning at any time.
If you wish, you request a Learner Pack posted to your home - (€25 optional if opting for the printed pack). This is a physical copy of all your course LMS tutorial slides.
In addition to all of the above learning resources, you can schedule 3 x 30 minute 1:1 check-in / progress sessions with your Trainer.
Blended learning is when a portion of the learning occurs online through a Learning Management System (LMS), where you are able to manage the pace at which you learn. You will also attend 7 x 1 hour scheduled Instructor-led live classroom sessions via Zoom per module, which allows you, as a remote learner, to engage more easily.
All course materials are available from the start, through our online Learning Management System (LMS), allowing you to study at your own pace wherever and whenever suits you best.
Within the LMS, you will watch and listen to narrated PowerPoint presentations, view videos, and complete activities and quizzes to support your learning.
You will have access to a discussion forum, where your Trainer will share additional resources and information, and where you can engage with the learning at any time.
If you wish, you request a Learner Pack posted to your home - (€25 optional if opting for the printed pack). This is a physical copy of all your course LMS tutorial slides.
We call this learning format Live and Online.
Assessment
Typically, QQI modules are 15 credits and 25 credits– so completing 6 modules = 120 credits. 120 Credits are needed to achieve a QQI Major Award.
Grading
Pass 50% - 64%
Merit 65% - 70%
Distinction 80% - 100%
Tutor Support
At Forus Training, we have many different supports available for your learning.
Learner Pack
When you enrol on a course, you will receive a printed learner pack from your trainer on the first session of the event. This learner pack contains clear assessment instructions and comprehensive material to support you as you complete the course. The pack will also include induction information as well as forms that you will complete during and at the end of your course.
Trainer Support
The trainer provides support to learners, including issuing feedback on draft work you will submit. Expect to wait up to 72 hours for a response by email from your trainer. Many of our trainers have full time jobs as well as training with us this means they will have up-to-date sector specific information, but also means that you need to allow a little time for them to get back to you. Our trainers are current with practice in the sector in which they work. Trainers can, by appointment, make time available to you before or after class to answer your queries that cannot be covered in the session. They can also make an appointment with you to discuss your work on a telephone call.
Assessment Upload Facility
We have a user-friendly assessment upload facility available to you.
Support with Preparing for Assessment
If it has been a while since you’ve studied, we have free, short presentations on Study Skills, Academic Writing and Harvard Referencing to assist you in your work.
Technical Support
Technical support is available by phone to 044 9349400 or by email: hello@forustraining.ie (Monday to Friday : 9am to 5:30pm).
Compassionate Consideration
Where a Learner, pursuing an award, through no fault of his/her own, is unable to complete their assessment, the exit pathway below is in place to facilitate this Learner with an alternative course. The Learner is given the opportunity to obtain the Award by completing the course at an alternative date/location should they have relocated to an area where we provide the same award. The following are examples of circumstances where a Learner is unable to complete their project/their course:
● Bereavement,
● Illness,
● Pregnancy,
● Relocation,
● Extenuating circumstances.
Please see P9 S7 C6 Compassionate Consideration Policy. Learner Welfare P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy and practices are fully integrated throughout teaching and learning experiences by both Trainers and staff to effectively meet the health and wellbeing needs of all Learners. The Forus Training welfare policy is focused on the welfare of all Learners and addresses any particular challenges individual Learners may be experiencing during their learning experience. The learning environment includes welfare support provided by staff for Learners which is fully integrated throughout the teaching and learning and organisation of teaching and learning to effectively meet the personal, social (wellbeing) and academic needs of Learners and staff.
Please see the policy here P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy.
Supports for Learners with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties
Forus Training is fully committed to complying with relevant policies and legislation with respect to equality and disability. Registered and potential Learners with verified disabilities or specific learning difficulties may be given compassionate consideration and reasonable accommodation to enable them to successfully complete their programme. This is arranged by the Course Coordinator. A reasonable accommodation is any action that helps to alleviate a substantial disadvantage due to an impairment or medical condition. Such accommodations are put in place to help reduce these barriers in order to provide equality of access and opportunity for all. Reasonable accommodations are made for Learners on a case by case basis and must be supported with medical documentation. Both P9 S2 C6 Evidence of Disability Form and P9 S2 C6A Application Form for Reasonable Accommodation can be found at the following link: https://forustraining.ie/knowledge-base/how-do-i-a...
You will be awarded a certificate 5M21473 Certificate in Early Child Learning and Care. QQI is the awarding body. Forus Training is a provider of education and training programmes and we issue certificates to learners who have reached the standard for a QQI award. The certificate you will receive on successful completion is a formal confirmation by QQI that you have demonstrated the knowledge, skill and competence required to achieve the named award. This programme is validated by QQI and is coded 5M21573 Certificate in Early Learning and Care. This certificate which will be issued to you by us is an award listed on the NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications). This ensures the certificate is nationally and internationally recognised and has many potential uses; for example, for further / higher education or employment in Ireland or abroad.
The following level 5 certificates are among those that generally enable the learner to progress towards completing the Level 6 programme in Early Learning and Care
Learners who successfully complete the programme may use the associated credits towards a place on a Higher Education course at level 7 or above. The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) systematically links named Further Education and Training (FET) awards at levels 5 and 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) to a variety of 3rd level courses in participating higher education institutions.The link below provides information on Progression Opportunities into Higher Education (set out by QQI): https://www.qqi.ie/Publications/Publications/Progr...
The link below provides a QQI points calculator for Level 5 and 6 from 2017 onwards: www.careersportal.ie/qqi/
Registration can take place through our website, this will involve you completing the relevant application form, providing us with your personal information so we can complete the registration on our side. Registration can also take place by telephone/email/Whatsapp or in person, this will involve you providing us details of the course you wish to study, providing us your payment details and agreeing to proceed with the purchase. By completing registration, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions set out herein.
Please read Terms & Conditions here.
QQI are responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland.
QQI validate programmes, make awards and are responsible for the promotion, maintenance, development and review of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
QQI also inform the public about the quality of education and training programmes and qualifications, and advise the Government on national policy regarding quality assurance and enhancement in education and training.
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