CHILDCARE COURSES

Department of Early
Learning and Care

Build skills and confidence to support young children’s
learning, care and development with flexible, accredited
QQI programmes and expert Trainer guidance.

Build skills and confidence to
support young children’s learning,
care and development with flexible,
accredited QQI programmes
and expert Trainer guidance.

Career Progression

Level 5 to Level 6 and beyond

Practical Skills

For today’s early years settings

Expert Trainers

Guidance from experienced Trainers

QQI Awards

Recognised qualifications for your next step

Career Progression

Level 5 to Level 6 and beyond

Practical Skills

For today’s early years settings

Expert Trainers

Guidance from experienced Trainers

QQI Awards

Recognised qualifications for your next step

EARLY LEARNING AND CARE (ELC)

Choose Your ELC Pathway

Begin with a two-module Starter Pack, commit to a full Major Award, or
choose the Combined Level 5 & 6 route.

Begin with a two-module Starter Pack, commit to a full Major Award, or choose the Combined Level 5 & 6 route.

LEVEL 5

ELC Level 5 Starter Pack

Begin with 2 modules before continuing towards the full Level 5 Major Award.
Best for: learners taking a first step into Early Learning and Care.

2-module starter route

QQI Code: 5M22413

Flexible study options

LEVEL 5

ELC Level 5 Major Award

Complete all 6 modules required for the Level 5 Early Learning and Care Major Award.
Best for: learners ready to work towards a full childcare qualification.

Full 6-module award

QQI Code: 5M22413

Flexible study options

LEVEL 6

ELC Level 6 Starter Pack

Begin with 2 modules before continuing towards the full Level 6 Major Award.
Best for: learners who already have Level 5 and want to begin Level 6 gradually.

2-module starter route

QQI Code: 6M22411

Flexible study options

LEVEL 6

ELC Level 6 Advanced Award

Complete all 6 modules and build towards Room Leader or supervisory progression.

Full 6-module award

QQI Code: 6M22411

Flexible study options

LEVEL 5 & 6

Combined ELC Level 5 & 6

Work towards both awards through one structured route from entry to progression.

12-module pathway

QQI Code: 5M22413 & 6M22411

Flexible study options

EARLY LEARNING AND CARE (ELC)

Choose Your ELC Pathway

Begin with a two-module Starter Pack, commit to a full Major Award, or choose the Combined Level 5 & 6 route.

Begin with a two-module Starter Pack, commit to a full Major Award, or choose the Combined Level 5 & 6 route.

LEVEL 5

ELC Level 5 Starter Pack

Begin with 2 modules before continuing towards the full Level 5 Major Award.
Best for: learners taking a first step into Early Learning and Care.

2-module starter route

QQI Code: 5M22413

Flexible study options

LEVEL 5

ELC Level 5 Major Award

Complete all 6 modules required for the Level 5 Early Learning and Care Major Award.
Best for: learners ready to work towards a full childcare qualification.

Full 6-module award

QQI Code: 5M22413

Flexible study options

LEVEL 6

ELC Level 6 Starter Pack

Begin with 2 modules before continuing towards the full Level 6 Major Award.
Best for: learners who already have Level 5 and want to begin Level 6 gradually.

2-module starter route

QQI Code: 6M22411

Flexible study options

LEVEL 6

ELC Level 6 Advanced Award

Complete all 6 modules and build towards Room Leader or supervisory progression.

Full 6-module award

QQI Code: 6M22411

Flexible study options

LEVEL 5 & 6

Combined ELC Level 5 & 6

Work towards both awards through one structured route from entry to progression.

12-module pathway

QQI Code: 5M22413 & 6M22411

Flexible study options

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

We’ll help you find the right course.

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

We’ll help you find the right course.

Why Choose Forus?

QQI-Recognised

Gain respected Level 5 and 6 awards for roles in early learning and care settings.

Flexible Study Options

Choose Live and Online for scheduled trainer classes, or Online Anytime to study at your own pace.

Expert ELC Trainers

Learn from trainers with real early years experience and practical sector insight.

Learner Support

Get guidance before you enrol, during your course, and as you plan your next step.

Career Pathways

Progress from entry-level childcare roles toward room leader or supervisory positions.

Why Choose Forus?

QQI-Recognised

Gain respected Level 5 and 6 awards for roles in early learning and care settings.

Flexible Study Options

Choose Live and Online for scheduled trainer classes, or Online Anytime to study at your own pace.

Expert ELC Trainers

Learn from trainers with real early years experience and practical sector insight.

Learner Support

Get guidance before you enrol, during your course, and as you plan your next step.

Career Pathways

Progress from entry-level childcare roles toward room leader or supervisory positions.

QQI ACCREDITED

A nationally recognised qualification for your childcare career.

All Forus Training ELC awards are QQI accredited and recognised nationwide. Need help choosing?
Contact our team — we’re here to help.

Where ELC Courses Can Take You

Choose QQI Level 5, progress to Level 6, or follow the combined Level 5 & 6 route toward
supervisory, room leader, or management roles.

LEVEL 5

Start Your ELC Journey

Begin with a QQI Level 5 qualification and build the foundation for working in early learning and care settings.

LEVEL 6

Advance Your Practice

Already have Level 5? Progress to Level 6 to deepen your knowledge and prepare for senior ELC roles.

— Alternative combined route —

LEVEL 5 & 6

Complete the Full Pathway

Choose the combined Level 5 & 6 route if you want one clear pathway from entry level to progression.

Where ELC Courses Can Take You

Choose QQI Level 5, progress to Level 6, or follow the combined Level 5 & 6 route toward supervisory, room leader, or management roles.

LEVEL 5

Start Your ELC Journey

Begin with a QQI Level 5 qualification and build the foundation for working in early learning and care settings.

LEVEL 6

Advance Your Practice

Already have Level 5? Progress to Level 6 to deepen your knowledge and prepare for senior ELC roles.

— Alternative combined route —

LEVEL 5 & 6

Complete the Full Pathway

Choose the combined Level 5 & 6 route if you want one clear pathway from entry level to progression.

What Our Learners Say

I completed my Level 5 and 6 with Forus Training and found the course flexible, supportive and easy to follow.

My trainer was really supportive and knowledgeable. This childcare course helped me gain employment in the ELC sector. I highly recommend Forus Training as they make dreams come true!

Lesley F.

Level 5 & 6 Graduate

Clare was consistently supportive and encouraging, making everything easy to understand and learning enjoyable.

Clare was an excellent tutor who was consistently supportive and encouraging throughout the course. She was so friendly and made everything easy to understand, which helped me feel more confident in myself and my work. For the first time, I felt learning was enjoyable. I’m very grateful for her genuine care during my time with Forus.

Amanda D.

Level 5 Graduate

The course was achievable and well structured, with an easy learning portal and very supportive tutors.

I completed my Level 5 Early Learning and Care with Forus and found the course incredibly achievable and well structured. The learning portal was easy to navigate and the tutors were very supportive, creating a positive environment. It was such a rewarding experience that I went on to complete my Level 6. I gained real confidence in my abilities and my career.

Michelle S.

Level 5 & 6 Graduate

The team replied quickly, guided me every step of the way and made distance learning feel supportive.

After completing my Level 5 with Forus and having such a wonderful experience with Amanda and Clare, I chose Forus again for Level 6. The support from Amanda, Amy and the team was amazing. They replied quickly, guided me every step of the way, and made distance learning feel easy, supportive and well structured.

Michelle C.

Level 5 & 6 Graduate

Meet Your Early Years Trainers

Learn with experienced Trainers who understand the sector and support
your progress.

CLARE BYRD

Head of ELC Department
& Trainer

Brings extensive hands-on experience as a Room Leader, Manager, SNA and AIM Support Worker

Text outstanding

AMANDA LEAHY

ELC Trainer

BA in Early Childhood Studies with strong experience in leadership and inclusive practice

Text outstanding

AMY GARVIN

ELC & SNA Trainer

Over 12 years’ experience as a preschool teacher and facility manager. Holds a BA (Hons) in Childcare and LINC

Text outstanding

Meet Your Early Years Trainers

Learn with experienced Trainers who understand the sector and support your progress.

CLARE BYRD

Head of ELC Department
& Trainer

Brings extensive hands-on experience as a Room Leader, Manager, SNA and AIM Support Worker

Text outstanding

AMANDA LEAHY

ELC Trainer

BA in Early Childhood Studies with strong experience in leadership and inclusive practice

Text outstanding

AMY GARVIN

ELC & SNA Trainer

Over 12 years’ experience as a preschool teacher and facility manager. Holds a BA (Hons) in Childcare and LINC

Text outstanding

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Course Details

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

Ready to Advance your Career in Early
Learning and Care? Call Us: 044 934 9400

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

Ready to Advance your Career in Early Learning and Care? Call Us: 044 934 9400

Forus Training
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.