The revised preschool regulations in 2016 requires that all staff working directly with children must hold a minimum of QQI Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education (or an equivalent qualification which is recognised on the list of qualifications published by The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
However those holding a Grandfathering clause* may continue to work in Early Years Settings until September 2021.
If a person does not hold a qualification on the DCEDIY’s recognised qualifications list, the individual is required to apply for the recognition of their qualifications at eyqualifications@equality.gov.ie. In order to be recognised, qualifications must demonstrate sufficient content in the areas of child development, early childhood education and child health and wellbeing. Applicants who start employment without qualification recognition are in breach of the Preschool Regulations. For further information please refer to the DCEDIY website above which will explain the process in more detail.
This award consists of 8 components of these 4 are mandatory and the student may chose 4 other relevant components at QQI Level 5 in order to achieve QQI Level 5 Major award. The total credit value required for this certificate is 120. This will be achieved by completing the Components for Level 5 which are on the list below.
If you are providing the ECCE scheme all ECCE room leaders must hold a minimum QQI Level 6 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education (or equivalent) since December 2016. This is a requirement of the ECCE contract. As with the QQI Level 5 the Major award in QQI level 6 requires a person to have a number of mandatory components and elective components. QQI level 6 requires for 3 mandatory components and the total credit value required for this certificate is 120 credits This will be achieved by completing the Components for level 6 are on the list below.
Owners and Managers are advised to ensure their staff have the appropriate qualifications.
For further information on completion of components or for advanced studies please see the National Framework of Qualifications.
| NFQ | Credit | |
| All of the following component(s) | ||
| Child Development | 5 | 15 |
| Child Health and Well Being | 5 | 15 |
| Early Care and Education Practice | 5 | 15 |
| Early Childhood Education and Play | 5 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) | ||
| Work Experience | 5 | 15 |
| Work Practice | 5 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) | ||
| Communications | 5 | 15 |
| Customer Service | 5 | 15 |
| Teamworking | 5 | 15 |
| Personal Effectiveness | 5 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) | ||
| Human Growth and Development | 5 | 15 |
| Social Studies | 5 | 15 |
| Legal Practice and Procedures | 5 | 15 |
| Approaches to Early Childhood Education | 5 | 15 |
| Childminding Practice | 5 | 15 |
| Creative Arts for Early Childhood | 5 | 15 |
| Equality and Diversity in Childcare | 5 | 15 |
| Infant and Toddler Years | 5 | 15 |
| School Age Childcare | 5 | 15 |
| Special Needs Assisting | 5 | 15 |
| Irish for Preschool Services | 5 | 15 |
| Nutrition | 5 | 15 |
| Children with Additional Needs | 5 | 15 |
| The remaining credit value of 15 can be obtained by using vocationally relevant component(s) from level 5. A maximum of 15 credits may be used from either level 4 or level 6. |
| NFQ Level | Credit Value | |
| All of the following component(s) | ||
| Child Development | 6 | 15 |
| Early Childhood Curriculum | 6 | 15 |
| Childhood Social Legal and Health Studies | 6 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) | ||
| Work Experience | 6 | 15 |
| Work Practice | 6 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) | ||
| Team Leadership | 6 | 15 |
| Personal and Professional Development | 6 | 15 |
| Communications | 6 | 15 |
| A minimum credit value of 30 from the following component(s) | ||
| Early Learning Philosophy | 6 | 15 |
| Early Learning Environment | 6 | 15 |
| Early Childhood Literacy and Numeracy | 6 | 15 |
| Early Childhood Arts and Culture | 6 | 15 |
| Special Needs Assisting | 6 | 15 |
| Creative Studies for Special Needs | 6 | 15 |
| Supervision in Early Childhood Care | 6 | 15 |
| Equality and Diversity in Childcare | 6 | 15 |
| Disability Awareness | 6 | 15 |
| Child Psychology | 6 | 15 |
| The remaining credit value of 15 can be obtained by using vocationally relevant component(s) from level 6. A maximum of 15 credits may be used from level 5. |
South Dublin County Childcare Committee © 2021
