What is Springboard+ and HCI?

Springboard+ is a government-funded initiative designed to address skills needs in the Irish workforce. It provides financial support for unemployed, part-time employed, and even full-time employed individuals seeking to upskill or reskill in high-demand sectors. The HCI program complements Springboard+ by offering targeted funding for specific industries.

Chevron College and Springboard+/HCI: The Perfect Partnership

Chevron College is a leading provider of postgraduate education in Ireland, offering a range of industry-focused programs. By partnering with Springboard+ and HCI, Chevron College makes these valuable qualifications highly affordable, opening doors for a wider range of learners.

Which Courses are Funded?

Here at Chevron College, we offer postgraduate programs that benefit from Springboard+ and HCI funding. These include:

Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity: Become an expert in cybersecurity threats and solutions, a field with critical demand across all industries.

Postgraduate Diploma in Blockchain and Financial Technologies: Explore the cutting-edge world of blockchain technology and its applications in finance, a rapidly evolving and exciting space.

Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science: Master the art of data analysis and extraction, a skillset highly sought after in today’s data-driven economy.

The Benefits of Choosing Chevron College:

Industry-focused programs: Our postgraduate courses are designed to equip you with the specific skills and knowledge needed to thrive in your chosen field.

Experienced faculty: Learn from industry experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom.

Flexible learning options: Many of our programs offer part-time and online learning options, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing commitments.

Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

Chevron College’s postgraduate programs, heavily funded by Springboard+ and HCI, offer an exceptional opportunity to gain valuable qualifications and advance your career without the worry of high costs. With a variety of programs to choose from and flexible learning options available, there’s a perfect fit for everyone.

Take the next step today!

Visit the Chevron College website https://chevrontraining.ie/postgraduate-courses/ to learn more about our postgraduate programs and explore the possibilities of Springboard+ and HCI funding. You can also contact our admissions team directly for personalized guidance.

Don’t let this chance to upskill and propel your career forward pass you by!

The BA (Hons) in Early Childcare Childhood Education and Care has a range of benefits. To list a few; enhanced knowledge and expertise, strong leadership skills and advanced curriculum.

Benefits of completing the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care

Enhanced Knowledge and Expertise:  This programme offers more in-depth knowledge of child development than the BA Ordinary (Level 7) programme does. With this developed understanding, you can create more efficient learning opportunities for the children in your care.

Greater Leadership Skills: The BA (Hons) programme provides you with the leadership skills critical to succeed in supervisory or management jobs within childcare centres. You’ll refine your skills in team management, advocating for best practices in the early years sector.

Advanced Curriculum Design: A more comprehensive look at the fundamentals of curriculum design is offered by the BA (Hons) programme.  You will get knowledge on how to create curriculum that is interesting, age-appropriate, and compliant with best practices and current research. This involves organising activities as well as skillfully evaluating the development of the kids and modifying the curriculum to suit each student’s needs.

Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: The BA (Hons) programme refines your abilities in these areas. You will gain the ability to evaluate intricate problems in early childhood education, create solutions based on research, and present your ideas to parents, coworkers, and other interested parties in an impactful and efficient manner.

Work Experience

There is also a work experience element that must be successfully completed for all courses. With reference to the Level 5, you must spend 150 hours in two early learning and care settings, divided as follows: You must spend at least 50 hours working with children aged 0 to 2.8 years. You must spend at least 50 hours working with children aged 2.8 to 6 years. You can spend the remaining 50 hours working with youngsters of both ages. Click here to read more about the Level 5 Early Learning Care Course.

To progress in childcare e.g. become a Lead Educator/Room Leader you must obtain a level 6 Early Years qualification. This course offered by Chevron College is also online with some face-to-face days. Payment can also be made in full or over 8 or 12 months. You will also have up to 16 months to complete this course. The work experience element for the Level 6 qualification is the same as the above Level 5 requirements (150 hours and hours divided over the settings). Click here to read more about the Level 6 Early Learning Care Course.

A degree in childcare can result in career progression and higher pay. If you have successfully obtained a level 6 qualification, the Early Learning and Education degree can be completed over 2 years for Level 7 (Ord) and 3 years for Level 8 (Hons). If you have no previous qualifications, you can start at stage 1 and complete the degree over 4 years.  This degree is also completed online, meaning you can study at a time that suits you.

Graduate Centre Manager

The rate of pays is €17.25 per hour.

Lead Educator (Room Leader)

Stage 1

Stage 1 of the course will familiarise students with the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, including legislation, quality, and curricular requirements.  Students will investigate concepts, theories, and strategies related to early childhood learning and development, and they will understand the value of a play-based, inclusive early learning environment.  Students will begin on a journey to discover their own professional identity and pedagogical practices to become reflective, ethical, child-centered Early Childhood Educators.

Stage 2 & 3 BA Level 7 Ordinary Degree (120 credits)

In Stage 2, learners will get a comprehensive understanding of the essential topics and concepts related to the role of the Early Years Educator. Learners will assess global and national early years practice and explore strategies to promote holistic child development, emphasising creativity, inclusiveness, equity, and collaboration.

Stage 3 aims to help learners gain a thorough grasp of the role of Early Years Educators and Leaders. Learners will assess global and national early years practice, including ways for creating a high-quality and compliant environment. Learners will strengthen their professional practice and ethical leadership skills via study, reflection, and placement.

Stage 4

Stage 4 provides a broad and complex understanding of ECEC in Ireland.

Learners will investigate management’s involvement in ECEC, including theories and practices for providing high-quality ECEC and school-age childcare services.

Learners will assess existing research and conduct new research on Early Childhood Education and Care.

If interested in obtaining a Level 8 in Early Childhood Education, please click here for more detail.

Room Leader/Teacher: A Room Leader/Teacher is a management position in an early year setting. Overall, they supervise a classroom and ensure that high quality care and guidance are provided. Some duties include the design and carrying out a curriculum that is appropriate. The room leader must ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to. Additionally, you may regularly evaluate and improve classroom programmes.  They must also assist teachers and maintain consistent communication with parents.

After School Co-ordinator: An After School Co-ordinator will supervise and manage the after-school programmes to make sure kids have fun, safe, and educational activities. Some duties include planning and creating programmes, managing daily operations, managing, and training employees, and making sure safety rules are followed are some of the main responsibilities. You also address behavioural concerns and have contact with parents. Additionally, you may manage the budget and looking for funding options. Creating a supportive atmosphere for children’s development requires strong leadership, communication, and organisational abilities.

Childcare Manager: A Childcare Manager will supervise a pre-school to make sure kids receive the highest level of supervision and care. This role may consist of being accountable for managing the centre’s finances and staff in addition to supervising the operations. Together with developing and implementing policies and procedures, you will also work with regulatory agencies to uphold standards and design a curriculum that advances the growth of young learners. Additionally, to effectively promote the centre’s programmes and services, parents, staff, and the community must be kept informed.

Special Needs Assistant: In early childhood settings, a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) provides help and support to children who have exceptional educational requirements. You will help kids with daily tasks and schoolwork, either one-on-one or in small groups. Providing personal care, modifying instructional materials, and carrying out individualised education plans (IEPs) created by educators and specialists are all part of this role. You will work in coordination with educators, parents and possibly therapists to guarantee that every child’s needs are satisfied and to create an inclusive atmosphere.

Family Support Worker: Family Support Professionals will assist families in overcoming challenges and support the growth and wellbeing of their children. You will interact with families in a variety of settings, including homes, community centres, and social service organisations. In addition to connecting families with services and resources, your duties also involve evaluating the requirements of the family and offering advice on parenting and child development. To help carers and parents empower themselves and provide a secure and caring environment for their children, you will provide them with practical assistance, emotional support, and educational training.

Please note that job titles and qualification requirements could differ based on the setting and childcare provider. We recommend to always refer to the job description to see what exact requirements are required.

If interested in obtaining a Level 8 in Early Childhood Education, please click here for more detail.

Degree Stages

Stage 1 (60 Credits)

Stage 1 of the course will familiarise students with the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, including legislation, quality, and curricular requirements.  Students will investigate concepts, theories, and strategies related to early childhood learning and development, and they will understand the value of a play-based, inclusive early learning environment.  Students will begin on a journey to discover their own professional identity and pedagogical practices to become reflective, ethical, child-centered Early Childhood Educators.

Stage 2 and 3 (120 Credits)

In terms of the programme content, stage 2 and 3 BA Level 7 Ordinary Degree is worth 120 credits. Stage 2 will provide learners with a strong understanding of the key areas and concepts concerning to the role of the Early Years Educator. Learners will evaluate current early years practice from a global and national context and will examine strategies and practices to support the holistic development of children, with an emphasis on creativity, inclusion, equity, and collaborative practice. children’s rights, creativity, inclusion, equality, and collaborative practice.

Stage 3 will further support learners to develop an in-depth understanding of key areas and concepts related to the role of the Early Years Educator and Leader. Learners will evaluate current early years practice from a global and national context and will examine strategies and practices to ensure a high-quality, complaint early years environment. Through research, reflection and professional practice placement learners will further develop their professional practice and emergence as ethical and transformative leaders.

Stage 4 (60 Credits)

Stage 4 provides a broad and complex understanding of ECEC in Ireland. Learners will investigate management’s involvement in ECEC, including theories and practices for providing high-quality ECEC and school-age childcare services.  Learners will assess existing research and conduct new research on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Please click here to read more about the BA Early Childhood Education.

Level of responsibility: Management positions are usually paid more than classroom-based roles. This may include Centre Manager, Lead Educator (Room Leader), or School Age Childcare Coordinator.

Experience and Qualifications: Those with more experience and qualifications can negotiate for higher pay.

Employer and Location: Level of pay can vary according to the type of childcare facility (private vs public) and its location, e.g. careers in Dublin are likely to pay a higher compared to rural areas.

Roles that tend to be at the higher end of the ECE pay scale.

As mentioned above, the highest paying jobs are generally managerial and specialist positions that require degrees and experience. These include:

• Childcare Centre Manager: Hold the responsibility for overseeing the operation of a childcare centre, including curriculum progress, staff management, budgeting and complying with ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Early Childhood Education Coordinator: In charge of planning and implementing educational programmes for young people.
• Early Childhood Education Consultant: Provide expertise and guidance to childcare centres, schools and other organizations.
• Specialist Early Years Professionals e.g. Speech and Language Therapists

Please note, there is a national push to improve salaries and attract more qualified professionals.

Education in Early Childhood can be a steppingstone onto various career paths of higher pay. The Early Childhood Education degree positions graduates for a fulfilling career making a real difference in children’s lives. Please click here to read more about the BA Early Childhood Education.

What settings are included in ECCE?

Some ECCE settings include preschools, nurseries, playgroups, creches and childcare facilities. The ECCE providers may be both public and private businesses. One main parts of the Early Years Education sector is the ECCE programme. This is a two-year free scheme available to all children within the eligible age range. Usually for 3 hours per day, 5 days a week. Additionally, parents or guardians can select different forms of childcare. Yet, they will come with a fee. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) can be claimed through the government to help reduce these costs.