Ready to lead? Take the next step with a QQI Level 6 in Early Learning and Care
You have your Level 5, you have experience in an early years setting, and you are ready for more responsibility. CMIT’s QQI Level 6 childcare course (6M22115) prepares you to work as an independent practitioner and to take responsibility for a room or area in an ELC setting.
You can study this level 6 childcare course online while you keep working, start at any time of year, and take 12 months to complete it.
Who this course is for
- Early years educators with a Level 5 who want to deepen their knowledge and practice
- Practitioners aiming for leadership roles such as pre-school leader or room leader
- Aspiring managers and lead educators who want a qualification that fits regulatory requirements and professional standards
- Learners planning further study at Level 7 or Level 8
To enrol, you need a Level 5 major award in childcare or equivalent. If you completed your Level 5 more than five years ago, you also need a letter from your employer confirming at least one year working in early years within the last five years.
What you will learn
The course covers six components:
- Inclusion, Equality and Diversity: legislation, best practice and equality proofing
- Advanced Child Development: key theories, socio-cultural theory and observation studies
- Effective Leadership: leading and managing a team, and developing yourself and others
- Curriculum and Pedagogy: approaches to curriculum, teaching methods, and building play into the curriculum
- Sociology and Social Policy: discrimination, legislation, and a rights-based approach
- Advanced Professional Practice: your work placement
Reflective practice runs through the course, so you keep connecting what you learn to your own setting.
Study while you work
You get 24/7 access to CMIT’s eLearning platform, with course manuals, videos, quizzes and live webinars. Your childcare tutor gives you personal feedback on every assessment, and you work on one module at a time.
You complete 150 hours of placement, with at least 50 hours with children aged 0 to 2 years 8 months and at least 50 hours with children aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years. CMIT covers your placement insurance at no extra cost.
Face-to-face training days
Alongside your online study, you can join face-to-face training days with an expert tutor. These are interactive sessions where you practise hands-on skills, meet other early years professionals, and get guidance on your assignments and placement. Upcoming dates include 16 January, 17 April, 17 July and 16 October 2027.
Course details at a glance
| Award | QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care (6M22115), worth 120 credits |
| Length | 12 months, starting any time of year |
| Study time | About 23 hours a week, including placement, study and assessments |
| Work placement | 150 hours across two age groups |
| Assessment | Projects, assignments and learner records |
| Fee | €1,195, with interest-free instalments or 3 payments with Klarna |
What our learners say
Many of our Level 6 learners completed their Level 5 with CMIT first. One learner said: “I did my level 5 here and found the overall experience amazing… I was already planning on coming back to do my level 6 halfway through my level 5!”
Enrol today
Enrol on the QQI Level 6 Early Learning and Care course and start straight away. Not sure if you are eligible? Call us on 01 286 5783 or email info@cmit.ie, and we will check your qualifications and any module exemptions.
Why study with CMIT? Our level 6 childcare course online leads to a nationally recognised QQI award. An experienced childcare tutor supports you throughout, with personal feedback on every assessment. You can enrol at any time of year, so there’s no waiting for a September intake. Our course content is award-winning: CMIT was named Best Further Education Provider at The Education Awards 2018.