NCI Course Details

Chat to our lecturers and Admissions Team at one of our many upcoming events about the range of Business, Computing, Psychology and Education courses starting at National College of Ireland in September and we'll help you find the right option for you.

• Thursday 13th July, 5-7pm - Online
• Thursday 17th August, 5-7pm - On-Campus
• Saturday 26th August, 11am-1pm - Online
• Wednesday 6th September, 5-7pm - On-Campus

Over the course of this 12-week, part-time blended learning programme, you will develop knowledge, skills & values, through the study of key topics incorporated throughout the programme. These include pedagogies and curricula, creativity and play, music, movement, art and drama, children’s holistic learning and development, supporting transitions, well-being and parent/family involvement, and Irish early childhood frameworks

A central feature of the programme is the online learning environment, which combines live online lectures that you can participate in from your workplace or home, and directed activities that you complete at your own pace. The programme is highly practical, and will guide you through the stages of developing, implementing and evaluating a digital learning resource to support the achievement of learning goals in your practice context.

This course is ideally suited to Home Visitors whom already have some experience of supporting children’s holistic learning and development in partnership with families as part of early childhood home visiting and wish to deepen and extend their curriculum and pedagogical practices.

The course is also suited to those interested in pursuing a home visitor role, including former programme parents, school leavers and mature students returning to education whom wish to develop their early childhood education and care knowledge, practice and values.

For information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

Online delivery with a series of self-paced, directed online activities.

The Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care will lead to a special purpose award at Level 6 (20 ECTS credits) on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Learners who successfully complete this course may opt to progress to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Early Childhood Education and Care.

Candidates will be Early Childhood Educators working in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector Candidates will typically have a Certificate (major award) at level 5 or equivalent in any discipline.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning that applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements will be considered based on relevant work and other experience.

All students applying to NCI must have access to a laptop that will allow them to attend classes online and, where relevant, to participate in on-campus learning.

The minimal suitable configuration is:

Processor:

• Intel 7th (or higher) generation processors (Core i-3, ii-5, -7,i-9-7x)
• or AMD Ryzen 3rd generation processors, running at 2.0GHz and above (Intel Atom/Celeron or AMD Athlon/Sempron Processors may cost less, but may not meet your requirements)

Random Access Memory (RAM):

8 GB minimum

Solid State Drive (SSD) Capacity:

256 GB minimum

Wireless Card:

802.11 a/b/g/n compliant with Bluetooth Capability (incompatibilities have been noted with the Qualcomm Atheros Wireless Adapters and software device drivers)

Graphics Card:

Direct X9 or later

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows 10 Home/Pro

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI IT cannot provide support for these personal devices.

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Garda Vetting is part of the admissions process. Garda Vetting applications must be submitted to NCI prior to commencing the programme.

The completed Vetting Invitation Form (NVB1) and supporting documentation must be submitted as soon as an application is completed. Download our Guidelines on the Garda Vetting Process for further information.

Programme offers will remain conditional until part 1 of the Garda Vetting process is completed.

This is an online programme.

Please note that exams can be scheduled during the morning, afternoon or evening Monday to Saturday.

12 weeks.

€1,350

(Fees revised annually)

You can spread the cost of this course with a direct debit plan.

"I found this course hugely beneficial towards my role as a home visitor. It has given me a solid foundation of early childhood education and care and the necessary knowledge, skills and competences to provide a high-quality model of home visiting, both online and at home. It has instilled a solid code of good practice and expanded on ways in which to build relationships with children and their parents. The course content is interesting and engaging and is delivered to an extremely high standard, and the learner is fully supported and guided through each facet of learning."

Lynda Cunningham
Home visitor for ParentChild+ programme, facilitated by Blue Skies Initiative.

"I am really proud to be a student of National College of Ireland and choosing Core Pedagogies and Curriculum course was definitely the right decision for my further education and use in practice as a Home visitor. This course pushed my limits and helped me to find confidence in many areas such as presentation skills. I got a deeper understanding and knowledge, not just theory but practical use too."

Katarina Gazova
Home visitor Community Mothers Longford

"I liked this course very much. Through the directed activities, I gained theoretical knowledge about children's growth, the influence of parents and home visitors, regarding children’s development."

Qi wang Dana
ELI PC+ Home Visitor