Community Employment (CE) Childcare Training and Development Programme SW138

The aim of the CE Childcare Training and Development Programme is to provide CE participants interested in pursuing a career in childcare with training and qualifications in the childcare sector, quality experience, and a clear career path.

Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme.

You can participate on a childcare programme in Community Employment by calling your local Employment Services Office or your local Intreo Centre to set up an appointment. Your local Officer will talk to you about the programme and, on the basis of an initial interview, will put your name forward to the Manager of the Childcare Centre.

The Childcare Centre Manager will interview you and talk to you about your interest in working with children. If you are successful you will be allocated a place on the programme and registered for CE. If you discover that childcare is not for you, you can talk again to your local Employment Services Officer or to your local Intreo Officer about other options.

The CE Childcare Training and Development Programme has three phases, and is a three year programme.

Phase 1

On Phase 1 you will spend time on the project under supervision and participating in training - this way you will have access to a childcare environment and be part of a busy crèche. The project supervisor will talk to you about the training requirements of the programme and the modules to be followed.

The Manager of the Childcare Centre will supervise your work experience and the Supervisor will also support you in your training. Learning on the scheme will include childcare related tasks.

There will be formal learning provided outside of the work experience by an external provider (for example the Education and Training Board). During Phase 1 you will complete at least 2 modules of the FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Childcare. The training will be provided as part of the CE programme.

Phase 2: Childcare Practitioner

At Phase 2 you will have achieved at least 2 components of the FETAC Level 5 Major Award and have an Individual Learner Plan (ILP) in place. You will proceed to achieving the full FETAC Level 5 Award and be called a Childcare Practitioner. During Phase 2 you will work at all times under the direction and supervision of an experienced practitioner.

Mentoring and learner support will be a key feature of Phase 1 and Phase 2; this will be made available by the Manager or Supervisor of the Childcare Centre. The duration of Phase 1 and 2 combined is approximately two years participation on CE.

Phase 3: Childcare Practitioner - Work Practice

At entry to Phase 3 you will have a Major Award at FETAC Level 5 and be a qualified Childcare Practitioner.

During this stage you can continue to gain experience as a Childcare Practitioner while on CE and provide additional help and support to the Childcare Centre.

The duration of this phase is up to 1 year maximum participation on CE.

Participation on this Childcare Programme is for 3 years.

• quality work experience and training linked to the National Framework of Qualifications
• a clear career path and qualifications in the childcare sector
• strong links between participation on CE and employment opportunities in the childcare sector

• contact your local Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Office or Citizens Information Centre

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