Complete QQI Level 5 and Level 6 ELC together, gaining full Early Learning and Care awards that support entry-level work and room leader progression.
Complete QQI Level 5 and Level 6 ELC together, gaining full Early Learning and Care awards that support entry-level work and room leader progression.
Course Title
Combined Early Learning and Care – Live and Online
Course Level
Level 5
Course Code
5M22413
Accreditation Body
QQI
QQI Credits
120.00
Award Type
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The 5M22413 Major Award Certificate in Early Learning and Care and 6M22411 Major Award Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care is a combined two year QQI Level 5 and Level 6 programme for learners who want to build a meaningful career in childcare, early years education, and Early Learning and Care practice.
This blended learning programme supports learners to develop the knowledge, skills, and reflective practice needed to work with babies, toddlers, and young children in a caring, inclusive, and professional way. Across the programme, learners explore child development, children’s rights, holistic care, curriculum, play, inclusion, equity, professional practice, leadership, supervision, and the wider policy and practice context of Early Learning and Care.
The course is designed to be practical, supportive, and achievable over 24 months, with a combination of self-paced online learning, scheduled tutorials, Trainer support, and assessment preparation. It is suitable for individual learners starting or developing a career in childcare, as well as employers, early years services, schools, and employment services supporting learners into the Early Learning and Care sector.
This course may be suitable for you if you are looking to build a career in Early Learning and Care, childcare, preschool education, or early years services.
It may be particularly suitable for:
This programme is designed to be welcoming for learners who are new to the sector, while also supporting those who already have experience and wish to strengthen their professional knowledge, confidence, and practice.
Access to the Programme
This programme is designed to be accessible to learners preparing for, entering, or already working in Early Learning and Care settings.
The blended learning format gives learners access to a structured online Learning Management System, alongside scheduled virtual or in-person tutorials. This allows learners to work through course content at their own pace while still having opportunities to engage with their Trainer, ask questions, prepare for assessment, and apply learning to real early years practice.
Tutorials focus on discussion, assessment preparation, and practical application of learning. Learners are encouraged to take an active part in their learning and to use the available supports throughout the programme.
A typical weekly commitment is approximately 5–8 hours, depending on the learner’s pace, assessment schedule, and stage of the programme.
Entry Criteria
This course is open to individuals who are working in, preparing to work in, or interested in building a career in Early Learning and Care, childcare, preschool, education, or child and family support settings.
Learners should have an interest in working with babies and young children and a willingness to engage in professional learning, reflective practice, and assessment work. Previous experience in childcare, education, care, or support settings may be beneficial, but learners who are newer to the sector are also welcome.
As this is a combined Level 5 and Level 6 programme, learners should be prepared to complete academic and practical learning over an extended period. Current professional experience, relevant voluntary experience, or prior study may support learners in applying theory to practice.
Where placement, practice-based tasks, or workplace-based evidence are required, learners may need access to an appropriate Early Learning and Care setting. Specific placement or assessment requirements will be confirmed as part of the programme guidance.
English Language Requirements
Learners should have a good standard of English to participate fully in the course and engage with course materials. If English is not your first language and you are unsure whether this course is suitable for you, please contact hello@forustraining.ie for guidance.
IT Skills and Equipment Required
Learners will need basic computer literacy and access to suitable IT equipment to complete this blended learning programme.
You will need:
Reasonable Accommodation
Forus Training is committed to supporting learners to participate as fully as possible in their course. Learners who may need reasonable accommodation or additional support are encouraged to contact their Course Advisor as early as possible so that appropriate supports can be discussed.
Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and are designed to support fair access to learning and assessment while maintaining the required standards of the programme.
This combined Level 5 and Level 6 Early Learning and Care programme supports learners to develop from foundational practice into more advanced professional knowledge, reflection, and supervision-related learning.
Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care — 5M22413
Learners will explore key areas such as:
Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care — 6M22411
Learners will build on their Level 5 learning through themes such as:
The programme links theory with real-world practice, helping learners understand how Early Learning and Care principles can be applied in day-to-day work with babies, toddlers, and young children, families, staff teams, and services.
Learning Outcomes
By engaging with the Level 5 stage of the programme, learners will have opportunities to:
By engaging with the Level 6 stage of the programme, learners will have opportunities to:
This programme includes structured coursework and learning activities appropriate to the Level 5 – Stage 1 and Level 6 – Stage 2 Early Learning and Care major awards.
Assessment may include a combination of written assignments, projects, portfolios, skills demonstrations, reflective work, practice-based tasks, examinations, or other assessment methods, depending on the module requirements.
Learners are supported through:
The support team aims to respond within 72 hours. Learners are encouraged to engage early with their Trainer and support team, especially where they have questions about assessment, study planning, or course participation.
Learner Welfare
At Forus Training, we aim to create a positive, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. Our team is available to support learners throughout their learning experience, and we encourage participants to reach out if they need guidance in relation to course participation, access, or learning support.
We understand that many learners are balancing study with work, family, caring responsibilities, or a return to education. The programme is designed to provide structure, encouragement, and practical support so learners can build confidence as they progress through each stage.
Learners are encouraged to communicate with Forus Training as early as possible if they are experiencing difficulty with attendance, engagement, assessment planning, technology, or access to learning.
Supports for Learners with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties
Forus Training is committed to supporting learners with disabilities and specific learning difficulties to access and participate in learning as fully as possible.
Learners who may need additional support, reasonable accommodation, or guidance in relation to learning or assessment are encouraged to contact their Course Advisor as early as possible. This allows appropriate supports to be discussed in advance and helps learners understand what documentation or information may be required.
Supports may relate to learning access, assessment arrangements, study planning, academic writing, referencing, language support, or technology guidance, depending on the learner’s needs and the requirements of the programme.
Learners will submit assessment work in line with the requirements of each module and the guidance provided in the assessment briefs.
Submission support includes:
Learners should allow enough time to prepare, draft, review, and submit their assessment work by the required deadlines. Final assessment work must be the learner’s own work and should follow the academic and assessment guidance provided.
On successful completion of the required Level 5 programme requirements, learners will receive the QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care — 5M22413.
On successful completion of the required Level 6 programme requirements, learners will receive the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care — 6M22411.
Certificates are issued in line with QQI and Forus Training certification processes, once all required assessments have been successfully completed, submitted, assessed, quality assured, and processed for certification.
Learners will also receive access to course learning materials and support resources during their enrolment, including LMS content, learner resources, quizzes, tutorials, and assessment guidance.
Course fees, payment options, and available funding routes may vary depending on the course format, booking type, employer arrangement, or funding approval.
Learners can apply by completing the relevant Forus Training application process. Individual learners, employers, schools, early years services, and employment services can contact Forus Training for guidance on the most suitable booking or application route.
Full payment, an agreed payment plan, or written funder/employer approval may be required before the course begins. Where funding is being sought through an employer, public body, or employment service, learners should ensure approval is confirmed before commencement.
For guidance on fees, applications, funding documentation, or employer bookings, please contact hello@forustraining.ie.
Terms and Conditions
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility, availability, and completion of the required booking or application process.
Full payment, an agreed payment arrangement, or written funder/employer approval is required before commencement.
Cancellations must be made in writing to Forus Training.
Fees are non-transferable unless otherwise stated.
Course dates, times, modules, tutorials, assessment schedules, or delivery arrangements may be updated if required.
A minimum number of participants may be required for a course or tutorial group to proceed.
Where a learner is funded by an employer, grant provider, employment service, or other third party, the learner or booking organisation may remain responsible for fees if funding is withdrawn, not approved, or if required documentation is not completed.
Forus Training may update delivery arrangements where necessary to support learner access, quality assurance, operational requirements, or programme scheduling.
Learners should review the full booking, cancellation, refund, and learner protection information provided at the point of application or enrolment.
After completing this course, learners may wish to continue their professional development through further training, specialist workshops, or advanced study in areas related to Early Learning and Care, inclusion, child development, education support, leadership, supervision, or childcare practice.
Learners may also use the knowledge and skills developed during the programme to support applications for roles in Early Learning and Care settings, childcare services, preschool settings, afterschool services, or related child and family support environments.
Progression options may depend on individual experience, employer requirements, placement experience, further education entry requirements, and current sector regulations. Learners are encouraged to check specific requirements with employers, professional bodies, higher education providers, or relevant agencies before making progression decisions.
