Qualification
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Childcare
The Course
The Childcare Practitioner Traineeship aims to provide both school leavers, mature applicants and unemployed people with the skills required to work in the Childcare sector. The Childcare Practitioner Traineeship is targeted at persons interested in pursuing a career in childcare practice and in working as a member of a childcare team.
The duration of the Childcare Practitioner Traineeship programme is 35 weeks. The Traineeship consists of 11 weeks off-the-job training with FÁS, 20 weeks integrated training (3 days per week with FÁS and 2 days per week with a host employer) and 4 weeks on-the-job training with a host employer.
The Job
A Childcare Practitioner is a qualified worker, capable of performing the range of skills and tasks required in the day to day care of children attending a childcare setting.
Such skills and tasks include; day to day responsibility under supervision, for children attending the setting and planning, implementing and reviewing activities appropriate to children's needs in order to provide for children’s physical, linguistic, emotional, social and cognitive development.
The Person
You must reach 18 years of age before the end of the Traineeship Programme and should have completed one or more of the following:
- Junior Cycle Education
- Approved FÁS Bridging Course
- FETAC Level 4 Childcare Course
or
- be a mature entrant with Childcare experience.
You should enjoy working in a team, have a positive outlook and have excellent communications skills. Previous experience of working within a childcare setting would be an advantage.
Progression
When qualified you will have opportunities to progress to senior positions in the Childcare sector through your experience and further education or training which you may undertake in areas such as Early Childhood Studies, Childcare Management, and the Social Sciences.
So What Next?
You should contact your local FÁS Office for information on how to register for this Traineeship and the location and date of the next available course.
In preparation for the Traineeship you may choose to identify a potential Host Employer for the Work Place Training element of the course.
