NFQ, ECCE and qualifications

D rog

Hello,
Does anyone know whether the new ECCE scheme National framework Qualification changes mean that Preschool/ Montessori teachers with level 6 FETAC diploma will need to upskill?
I read a lot of different information and cannot seem to find a definitive answer.
Any ideas?

Johnnyjump

Good question. Worth doing a bit of research on it but upskilling will never go astray, especially in the current climate where competition for jobs is increasing.

Guru Maith Agut

D rog wrote: »

Hello,
Does anyone know whether the new ECCE scheme National framework Qualification changes mean that Preschool/ Montessori teachers with level 6 FETAC diploma will need to upskill?
I read a lot of different information and cannot seem to find a definitive answer.
Any ideas?

If the Montessori Dip was achieved through Portobello Institute then yes you will have to complete further modules in Level 6 (upskill as you put it) for this to be the full major award. Portobello are offering 4 modules at €1,300 however you do not have to do this with Portobello, many places are now offering Level 6 (Childcare Supervision Course).
I feel that it is a disgrace that Portobello failed to inform all their students that they had not achieved the full major award and had only completed 6 components (out of 8 required) and now need to fork out more money to do a completely separate course!

As it stands they (OMG) have changed the requirements that you now only need to have achieved Fetac Level 5, however this still leaves students from Portobello with neither Fetac Level 5 nor 6.

Hope this helps answer your question D rog.

D rog

Thank you so much

But I'm in shock Are you saying that although advertised as level 6 diploma, the portobello institute qualification is not?!
I thought upskilling from level 6 to 8 might be required, but are you positive the diploma is not even level 6!?:eek:

Guru Maith Agut

D rog wrote: »

Thank you so much

But I'm in shock Are you saying that although advertised as level 6 diploma, the portobello institute qualification is not?!
I thought upskilling from level 6 to 8 might be required, but are you positive the diploma is not even level 6!?:eek:

It is not the full major award as you have only achieved six components as per what they have quoted on their website here:

Montessori and Special Needs Education:

Portobello Institute is unique in Ireland in that it holds a specific qualification in Special Needs Education. Students can gain a specialised FETAC Component Certificate at levels 5 & 6 in this area. This is a natural progression from Montessori Studies for those interested in the child with Special Needs.

The underlined and highlighted area is the important part as it uses the word component (and not major) and for you to fully achieve the major award you must have completed 8 components which Portobello did not specify. And yes we are all in shock as you are not the only person who has realised this startling oversight by them.

D rog

Thanks again
OMG- Why has none of this upskilling and the course issues been in the media. As you say, there will be a lot of put out people

overmantle

It's in the current situation where jobs are not as freely available that these kinds of issues are more likely to surface.

D rog

Rang them and they have confirmed 'top up' courses for the full award will be available from January 2010.

AutumnComission

Apparently at least one childcare worker in each facility, if applying to qualify for the 'free education year' programme run by the HSE & government must currently have a minimum of level 6 FETAC Childcare qualification. According to guidelines, but not current legislation, by 2012, ALL childcare staff will be required to have a FETAC level 6 or above. They are apparently hoping to have the childcare industry more graduate led in the near future and therefore this in one of the reasons for the introduction of the guidelines. Hope this helps somewhat!

dogbert27

From the terms and conditions of the ECCE:
Pre-school year Leaders must hold a certification for a major award in childcare/early education at a minimum of level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ) or an equivalent nationally recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field.

As stated it's only the pre-school leaders, the floor staff can still be in-training or unqualified as from the 2006 regulations, regulation 8 Management and Staffing section 8.1 (a) a sufficient number of suitable and competent adults are working directly with the pre-school children in the pre-school service at all times.

Definition of a Suitable and Competent adult according to the regulations:
A suitable and competent adult is a person (over 18 years) who has appropriate experience in caring for children under six years of age and/or who has an appropriate qualification in childcare.

So a 40 year old mother who has raised 2 children can be a childcare worker without qualifications based on the fact that it can be deemed she has appropriate experience in caring for children under six years of age.

Where things go grey in the Irish early education system is what the service is. If the service is only a child-minding service then the example of a 40 year old mother would be appropriate to just care for the children but if it's a pre-school implementing a curriculum then the 40 year mother is clearly unqualified but it doesn't seem to matter according to the regulations. But it's all down to how the regulations are interpreted.