Childcare Legislation requires all childcare workers to hold a minimum of a Level 5 Major Award in Childcare before they are allowed to work in a registered childcare setting. However, subsidies will only be paid for individual ECCE Sessions where the ECCE Room leader holds at least a Level 6 Major Childcare Award.
In short, if you need to complete a Major Award in Childcare, we recommend the following:
- Start with the Level 6 Major Award in Childcare, if you hold a Leaving Cert or any Level 5 Major Award Childcare course.
- Start with the Level 5 Major Award in Childcare, if you do not hold a Leaving Cert or any Level 5 Major Award. Once you complete the Level 5 Major Award in Childcare you may then progress to Level 6 Childcare courses.
Benefits of completing the Level 6 Childcare courses
- You need to hold at least a level 6 Major Award (or equivalent) in Childcare in order to be a Room Leader and benefit from ECCE subsidies.
- The level 6 Major Award syllabus is more advanced and of more benefit to you, and your workplace.
- You can bypass the Level 5 Major Award and commence the Level 6 Major Award in Childcare course if you hold a Leaving Cert or any Level 5 Major Award.
- Following completion of the Level 6 Major Award in childcare, you can progress to a higher-level course in a University or Institute of Technology.
- There are two types of capitation available depending on the Room Leader’s qualification: (1) Room Leader with a QQI Level 6 qualification: €69 per week per child, or (2) Room Leader with a QQI Level 7 and upwards qualification: €80.25 per week per child.
Benefits of CMIT Level 6 Childcare courses by eLearning
- Complete the course in your own time, and at your own pace.
- Attend online classes, every Thursday evening, instead of having to travel to classes.
- CMIT is registered with QQI to offer programmes in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland, which is recognised by Government and Employers.
- Get one-to-one support from your Tutor and personalised feedback on your progress
- Learn anywhere, anytime. You have 24×7 online access to your course.