Qualification Requirements under the ECCE Scheme
The introduction of the Free Pre-school Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE Scheme) has had a major impact on the area of staff qualifications for the sector. To operate the scheme, the pre-school service must meet a number of terms and conditions, including minimum qualification requirements.
In general, the Pre-school Leader(s) must hold a certification for a major award in childcare/early education at a minimum of level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) of Ireland or an equivalent nationally recognised qualification. During the first 2 full years of the scheme, the qualification requirement will be considered to be met, where a person can demonstrate that he or she has achieved a certification for an award in ECCE, that includes significant content relating to early childhood education/early learning and child development and has at least 2 years experience of working in a position of responsibility with children in the 0-6 age range.
An increased capitation grant will be made available to services, where the Pre-school Leader is qualified to degree level (FETAC Level 7 or 8) in childcare / early year’s education and has 3 years experience of working in the pre-school sector. In addition all Pre-school Assistants must hold a childcare/ early year’s education qualification at FETAC level 5.
Approved Qualifications
The minimum qualification accepted under the ECCE Scheme is a full FETAC Level 5 (previously NCVA Level 2) award or equivalent on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
FETAC Level 5 (Full Award)
To obtain a FETAC Level 5 full award, the participant must complete 8 FETAC level 5 modules. The Certificate is composed of 5 Mandatory Modules and 3 Elective Modules and are chosen from a list of modules approved by FETAC.
Each module when completed in isolation, provides the student with a FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate (Minor Award). All 8 Modules can be completed together or singly over a period of time to obtain the Major Award of FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Childcare.
What is a FETAC major award?
FETAC major awards are made up of a number of specified (8 or more) minor awards commonly known as modules or component certificates. Each module can be taken separately or as part of an overall programme incorporating all the required modules for a major award. Learners receive a Component Certificate for each module they successfully complete. When a Learner has successfully completed the required Component Certificates for a major award they automatically become eligible for the overall Certificate. The following is an example of how the component certificates fit together:
FETAC (NCVA) Level 5 Major award certificates will be awarded to a candidate who reaches the required standard in at least 8 modules made up as follows:
5 Vocational modules (including mandatory and elective modules)
2 General Studies modules (one of which must be communications)
1 Work Experience module
What are the mandatory component minor awards in Childcare?
The mandatory component minor awards for the FETAC (NCVA) Certificate in Childcare at level 5 are:
Level 5 Certificate in Childcare FETAC (NCVA)
Code Title
D20005 Child Development
D20007 Early Childhood Education
D20153 Working in Childcare
D20159 Caring for Children (0-6 years)
G20001 Communications W20008 Work Experience
A list of elective component minor awards can be found on the FETAC website.
In addition to the FETAC (NCVA) Level 5 Certificate in Childcare there is also a FETAC (FÁS) Certificate in Childcare.
The mandatory component minor awards for the FETAC (FÁS) Certificate in Childcare at level 5 are:
Level 5 Certificate in Childcare – FETAC (FÁS)
Code Title
354 Childcare Workplace Skills
551 Child Development in Childcare
552 Care Practice in Childcare
553 Provision of Care in Childcare
554 Heath Care in Childcare
555 Safety in Childcare
556 Communications
999 Information Technology
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
The NFQ is a system of ten levels. It incorporates awards made for all kinds of learning, from basic learning to Doctorate, wherever the learning is gained. For example, the Irish Junior Certificate is at NFQ Level 3, apprenticeship qualifications are at NFQ Level 6, the Honours Bachelor Degree is at NFQ Level 8 and the Doctoral Degree is at NFQ Level 10. The NFQ provides a structure (a framework) to compare and contrast the level and standard of different qualifications.
Finding an NFQ Recognised Course
With the introduction of the ECCE Scheme, it is more important than ever, that those embarking on a career in childcare/ the early years to obtain a qualification which is recognised by the NFQ.
To determine if a course is NFQ recognised, the student may contact the relevant college or log onto www.qualifax.ie which allows students to search for a course by Keyword, Qualification Type, College, County etc. and which provides information on the NFQ Level.
The list of search results will include a column stating the NFQ Level for each course. To determine if the course is a Major Award (Certificate) or Minor Award (Component Certificate) it is necessary to view the course details.
Supervised Work Placement
All comprehensive courses in childcare/ early years education, will include one or more supervised placements in an early years setting. The duration of the placement experience will depend on the level of the course, but in general an NFQ Level 5 Course should include an average of 20 days supervised placement.
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
The ‘National Qualifications Authority of Ireland’ and ‘Qualifications Recognition Ireland’ assess qualifications obtained abroad to determine their equivalent NFQ Level in Ireland, for e.g. the CACHE Diploma in Early Childhood Education is equivalent to NFQ Level 5 Major Award in Childcare.
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