Higher Diploma in Early Years Education for the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector
Course Summary
This 3-semester part-time programme (which runs over 18 months) has been developed in conjunction with Cork ETB. It aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who had previously been delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.

Important notice about this course
Applications for the Jan 2024 programme will open in Autumn 2023
This programme is restricted to those Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who are currently delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
The aim of the programme is to meet a specific professional development need within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. The programme aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of existing FET learning practitioners who are currently delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Modules taught on the programme include:
Stage 1 Semester 1 (Jan 2023 - May 2023)
- Learning Teaching and Assessment in FET
- Pedagogy, Curriculum and Practice in ELC
- Leadership Governance & Regulation
Stage 1 Semester 2 (Sept 2023 - Jan 2024)
- Diversity, Equality and Inclusive Education in ELC
- Children’s Rights & the Voice of the Child in Social Policy
- Learning Teaching and Assessment in Further Education and Training
Stage 1 Semeser 3 (Jan 2024-May 2024)
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This programme is delivered predominantly on-line with 8 contact hours per week and is delivered as follows:
- Live on-line lectures on Wednesday afternoons from 13.00hrs to 19.00hrs
- 2 hrs directed study/asynchronous study on Monday from 14.00hrs to 16.00hrs, which will be available for students to access at a time convenient to them.
- 2 Saturdays (09.00hrs to 16.00hrs) Face to Face (venue to be confirmed) in each semester.
- Students will also be required to undertake directed and independent study.
- The programme includes a variety of continuous assessments with no final examinations.
- Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the programme.
This programme is specifically for those in the FET sector who currently teach on QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Total course fee: €2,500 payable as follows.
Application Fee: €50 (non-refundable if you are made an offer of a place)
Accept Offer Fee: €100 (non-refundable)
Instalment 1 = €1100
Instalment 2 = €1250
- Applicants should have a Level 8 major award in a cognate discipline and currently teach on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector
OR
- a Level 7 major award in a cognate discipline with a minimum of 2 years’ teaching experience on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector and be currently teaching on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector.
This programme is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who are currently delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care, confirmation of applicants status may be sought from the relevant ETB.
Ms Niamh Gaine
Programme Manager for the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Cork ETB
Email: niamh.gaine@corketb.ieDownload the frequently asked questions for this course. Download FAQ's
Course ID | TBC |
Course Type | Flexible & Professional |
Study Mode | Part-Time |
Level | 8 |
Duration | 18 Months |
Fees | €2,500 |
Starting Date | January 2024 |
School | School of Health & Science |
Department | Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years |
Credits | 60 |
Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Delivery Method | Blended |