Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care –
QQI Level 6 Major Award

This level 6 certificate is designed with Early Childhood professionals, and the children they will engage with, in mind. The aim of the (two stage) programme is to enable learners to develop the knowledge, skills, and competence to work as autonomous practitioners, subject to practice supervision, promoting and supporting the holistic needs of children from 0 to six years, and/or to take responsibility for a room or area in an ELC setting.

The Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care – Level 6, introduces the learner to the key concepts and theories involved in Early Childhood Education and Care while simultaneously equipping them with the skills and competencies to lead a room in an early childhood education and care setting. On completion of the Advanced Certificate in ELC, the learner will be able to assess the holistic needs of the children in their care and create developmentally appropriate plans to further the child’s learning and care, as well as interacting appropriately with various stakeholders.  The programme aims to equip future ELC professionals with the tools to navigate the ever-changing landscape of early childhood education and care in Ireland, the tools and dispositions to provide the best practice and care for the children they engage with, and to think critically about their roles as professionals within the communities in which they will work.

Learners can be enrolled directly onto the ELC Level 6 programme, subject to having completed the Level 5 option (either with Progressive or with another College).  They will also have the option of enrolling on the L6 Programme via RPL.

Students who opt to study at Progressive College are granted round-the-clock access to the Progressive eLearning platform, Moodle for the entire duration of their course. Progressive College’s Moodle offers a variety of resources such as extensive course manuals, live webinars, videos, quizzes, and personal tutor support. The course is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward to follow. Additionally, students can submit their assessments online and receive feedback from their tutor through Moodle or via their secure assessment submission link which is accessible from any computer with an internet connection.

The objectives of the Advanced Certificate in ELC are:

1.    To provide learners with an understanding of the role of sociology, social policy and legislation applicable to the ELC sector

2.    To equip leaners with the knowledge to utilise a range of curricular approaches and early childhood theoretical perspectives to lead a playful learning environment.

3.    To develop a range of skills and strategies to provide for and support children’s holistic development through a nurturing and child-centred pedagogy.

4.    To develop the skills and values to promote inclusion, diversity, and equality within the ELC environment.

5.    To equip learners with the leadership skills to promote quality and collaborative ELC practices and provision.

6.    To facilitate learners to become reflective ELC professionals.

*Pending QQI validation

Sociology & Social Policy in ELC

Effective Leadership within ELC

Advanced Professional Practice

Inclusion, Equality & Diversity in ELC

Advanced Child Development

Curriculum & Pedagogy

The L6 programme comprises 6 mandatory modules, enabling the learner to develop the knowledge, skills and competences required to work as an autonomous practitioner in an ELC setting and/or take responsibility for an area or room leading and coordinating the provision of a quality early learning and care environment. The focus is on promoting the holistic wellbeing, development and learning of children from 0 to six years across a range of ELC settings. The programme offers a balance of theory and practice, and professional practice placement is integral to the teaching and learning.

Each module takes 6 weeks to complete.  Students take two modules over a 12 week period.

They must have completed a L5 ECCE/ELC programme to gain entry to the Level 6 course.

There are NO written theory exams.

Following successful completion of all required modules, you will receive a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care (ELC) Major Award.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. Progressive College is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI awards in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

Learners can enrol directly onto the ELC Level 6 programme, subject to having completed a level 5 Major Award or equivalent, (either with Progressive or with another College).  They will also have the option of enrolling on the L6 Programme via RPL.

Professional Practice:

In order to successfully complete the programme, learner’s will be required to spend 150 hours, in two early learning and care settings, divided as follows:

•     Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 0 – 2.8 years

•     Learner’s must spend a minimum of 50 hours working with children between the ages of 2.8 – 6 years

•     Learner’s can spend the remaining 50 hours working with children across both age groups, however you must spend a minimum of 30 hours in the second service.

Garda Vetting is a legal requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the vetting of persons carrying out work with children or vulnerable persons.

Students must complete the Garda Vetting process before commencing work placement.

Students who have spent more than 6 months living outside of Ireland will need to provide a copy of their Police Clearance Certification for all international addresses that they have lived at, before starting placement.

A PC with Windows 8 or later or a Mac with OSX 10.5 or later.

An internet connection with a speed of at least 10mbps.

The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, set to accept cookies and pop-ups.

Adobe Reader, to view content.

Word processing software, such as MS Word or Google Docs.

Some courses include video, therefore your computer must be capable of playing video and sound.