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Children’s Care, Learning & Development (Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma)

NCFE
Early Years

Course Overview

This qualification confers occupational competence for childcare, learning and development in Northern Ireland. Students will have the option of completing the course in 1 year or 2 years. The course will prepare you for employment in the field of Early Years and Childcare, as a qualified Early Years/ Foundation Stage classroom assistant and Day Care, Pre-school, Nursery, Crèche or Special Needs Assistant or childminder. You will have access to our Early Years Specialist Resource Room which is fully equipped with indoor and outdoor play and practical resources. You will benefit from assessed work experience in Early Years settings, Day Care Nurseries, Crèche, Primary, Nursery and Additional Needs and Irish Medium classrooms. The skills that you will develop are• excellent communication skills• building knowledge and skills while working with children and staff in a sensitive and positive way• creativity and imagination for play opportunities • planning and organisational skills• IT skills. The diploma course is assessed entirely through coursework and placement assessment reports.
  • Study Mode
    Full-Time
  • Duration
    2 Years
  • Campus
    Limavady
    Strabane
    Strand Road

Available Sessions

  • Course
    Campus
    Type
    Start Date
    Fees
    Apply now
  • Course: NCFE Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma Children’s Care, Learning & Development
    Campus: Strand Road
    Type: Full Time
    Start Date: 01/09/2025
    Fees:
     -
    Apply now
  • Course: NCFE Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma Children’s Care, Learning & Development
    Campus: Limavady
    Type: Full Time
    Start Date: 01/09/2025
    Fees:
     -
    Apply now
  • Course: NCFE Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma Children’s Care, Learning & Development
    Campus: Strabane
    Type: Full Time
    Start Date: 01/09/2025
    Fees:
     -
    Apply now

Course Offering

  • Site location Limavady Main St Strabane Strand Road

Course Modules

  • Context and principles for the early years sector
  • Communication and partnership working
  • Safeguarding children
  • Keeping children safe, healthy and well
  • Support childrens personal care and nutrition
  • Supporting childrens development
  • Supporting childrens play opportunities and experiences of play
  • Contribute to the support of children with disabilities and /or special needs
  • Support the learning and development of children with health needs
  • Understand the needs of children and young people who are vulnerable and experiencing poverty and disadvantage
  • Enable parents to develop ways of handling relationships and behaviour that contribute to everyday life with children
Fees & Finance Information
Want to book your place?
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Entry Requirements

UK Requirements

4 GCSEs (Grade C or above) to include English and Maths or equivalent Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication and Numeracy.or Level 2 Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development and Essential Skills Level 2 in both Communication and Numeracy , or Level 2 Diploma / Qualification from another curriculum area as well as the required English and Maths qualifications or equivalent Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication and Numeracy.

ROI Requirements

4 OLCs (Grade O5 or above) to include English and Maths or equivalent Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication and Numeracy or Level 2 Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development and Essential Skills Level 2 in both Communication and Numeracy or level 2 Diploma / Qualification from another curriculum area as well as the required English and Maths qualifications or equivalent Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication and Numeracy.

Additional Requirements Prior to Entry

Access NI Check
Attendance at Information Session

Work Placement

You will be required to undertake work placement in a variety of childcare settings for 2-3 days per week over the 2 years of the course, while working with children 0-5 years 11 months. Enrolment on this course is subject to checks, including a satisfactory Access NI check. As placement is an integral part of your qualification, a self-declaration of current health status is implicit as part of the overall risk assessment process.

Fee Information

  • Additional Fees
  • Uniform - £30-£40

What's Next?

Further Study

In order to progress to L3 Extended Diploma CCLD students MUST have successfully achieved L3 Diploma CCLD as well as GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English eg Essential Skills L2 or OLC Grade 06. Please note in some universities OLC Grade 05 may not be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Grade C. Successful completion of the Extended Diploma for Childrens Care, Learning and Development qualification also provides opportunities to progress into a diverse range of job roles in employment and you may be able to extend your knowledge in other areas of Early Years by: *Progressing to university or *HN in Early Childhood Education and Care *Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies at North West Regional College.

Career Prospects

. Learners could progress to the following job roles: • Early Years/Foundation Stage classroom assistant • Childminder • Nursery practitioner • Pre-school worker • Out-of-school childcare worker. With additional study you may progress into higher education or university to further your qualifications in Teaching, Infant Mental Health specialist, Social Work or Psychology.

Enquiry

Meet our students

  • Image of Holly Miller (Medical & Applied Science)
    After graduating from NWRC I went to Queens University to study a BSc in Chemistry, followed by a PGCE. I'm now working as a full-time Chemistry teacher.
    Holly Miller (Medical & Applied Science)
  • Image of Sarah Jane (Music Performance)
    I never had an easy time at school, but since being here at the College I’ve never felt more supported or valued. It really is an amazing place.
    Sarah Jane (Music Performance)

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