CAO Code LY006

Letterkenny Campus

Higher Certificate

Early Childhood Care, Health & Education

2 years / Level 6 / Full-time / Work Placement

Is this course for me?

Our Higher Certificate in Science in Early Childhood Care, Health and Education prepares you for a fulfilling career caring for infants and young children, taking responsibility for their health, education and well being. It’s a rewarding course that will provide you with a springboard to an exciting future in healthcare.

Certain semesters of this course are taken in common with other courses.

Year One

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
1	Introduction to Psychology and Sociology	Mandatory	10	6
	Introduction to Irish Law	Mandatory	5	4
	Professional Scholarship	Mandatory	5	5
	Education & Play	Mandatory	10	6
2	Child Protection & Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons	Mandatory	5	4
	The Early Years Environment	Mandatory	10	6
	Curriculum Studies	Mandatory	5	4
	Understanding Children’s Behaviour	Mandatory	10	6

Year Two

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
3	Practice Placement 1	Mandatory	30	30
4	Creativity in the Early Years	Mandatory	5	4
	Curriculum Pedagogy and Assessment	Mandatory	10	6
	Child Health & Disability	Mandatory	10	6
	Research Process & Methods	Mandatory	5	4

Follow-on Courses

Follow up programmes elsewhere include:

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Early Childhood Care, Health & Education

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Minimum Five 06/H7
Maths F2/06/H7
English or Irish 06/H7

Number of Places	30

Reserved Quota
Access Studies Students	2
QQI FET Applicants	4
Mature Applicants	2

Special Requirements

Garda Vetting

Applicants for this programme are required to undergo Garda Vetting. For any programme where Garda Vetting is required, non-EU applicants will not be considered unless/until the pool of qualified EU applicants has been exhausted. For those admitted to any course requiring Garda Vetting, registration is temporary until such time as the vetting process is successfully completed.

Mandatory Training

Students will be required to undertake mandatory training as outlined by the course schedule. This is required prior to students going on placement.

Work Placement

The work placement modules are an integral part of the course. The aim of the placement is to provide learners with an opportunity to gain skills, experience and competence. Please note that with while the institute will make every effort to assist the learner in finding a placement final responsibility for securing the placement resides with the learner. Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the learner.

Health Declaration

Applicants wishing to pursue this programme must complete a Health Declaration. Applicants must be deemed fit to practice in order to continue on the programme

Information for:

Student Experience

Career Pathways

The main employers are:

Childcare
Health Services
Education
Other Public Services

Graduate Careers

Graduate careers typically include:

Classroom Assistant
Specialist Advisor
Researcher
Child carer

Employer Testimonials

How To Apply Scholarships Download Prospectus

Key Information

CAO Key Dates:
Discounted closing date – 20 January (17:15)
Normal closing date – 1 February (17:15)
Late closing date – 1 May (17:15)
Change of Mind opens – 5 May (12:00)
Change of Mind closes – 1 July (17:15)
Round 1 offers – 20 August (06:00)

Further Information

Department Administration: +353 (0)74 9186306 / +353(0)74 9186308 / +353(0)74 9186310

Head of Department Dr. Nigel McKelvey
Email: Nigel.McKelvey@lyit.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)74 9186404

School and Department
Faculty of Science & Health
Department of Early Education & Social Studies