Diploma in Early Years Education for the Further Education and Training Fet Sector

Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Higher Diploma in Early Years Education for the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector is a part-time, blended programme for FET learning practitioners who currently deliver QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care. Students study modules including Learning Teaching and Assessment in FET, Pedagogy, Curriculum and Practice in ELC, and Leadership Governance & Regulation.

Teaching is predominantly online, with live on-line lectures on Wednesday afternoons from 13.00hrs to 19.00hrs. Students also complete directed/asynchronous study on Monday from 14.00hrs to 16.00hrs and attend two Saturdays (09.00hrs to 16.00hrs) face to face in each semester. The programme uses continuous assessments with no final examinations and does not include work placement.

Modules

• Learning Teaching and Assessment in FET
• Pedagogy, Curriculum and Practice in ELC
• Leadership Governance & Regulation
• 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
• Reflective Practice and Professional Development for Educators
• Contemporary Practice in ELC

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.

• Deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care