FETAC L6 vs HETAC L6

krisbecs

I have just completed the full FETAC level 6 in childcare and want to do a montessori course it is a HETAC higher certificate which apparently is a level 6 on the NQF so am I right to think this is not getting me any higher on the ladder would I be better to skip on and try do a degree?

bmarley

krisbecs wrote: »

I have just completed the full FETAC level 6 in childcare and want to do a montessori course it is a HETAC higher certificate which apparently is a level 6 on the NQF so am I right to think this is not getting me any higher on the ladder would I be better to skip on and try do a degree?

Hi where are you hoping to do the montessori course, I would have thought all hetac courses are either a level 7 or 8. Depends what area of childcare you want to do but having completed the level 6 should allow access to most childcare management positions. Don't think much to be gained from the montessori unless you specifically want to open up your own montessori school.

krisbecs

Hi thanks,
I was looking at doing it in Portebello Institute it's a 2 year course and they are looking at adding a third year to bring it to level 7 but don't know if I can commit to 3 years as I am the sole income in our household these days.
I can do an hons degree (level 8) in early education and care in 2 years part time in Carlow IT but really this only qualifies ppl to open or run a creche/preschool which I can do with level 6 anyway.
My interest is actually in Special Needs Education but I don't have the necessary qualifications to do primary school teaching which is the prefered qualification to be a SN teacher and the only other way in is montessori have looked into St Nicholas but their part time degree (level 7) is 5 years which is way too long.
Am very confused 2 - 3 years is a long time and a lot of money to spend to not be any further qualified.

bmarley

krisbecs wrote: »

Hi thanks,
I was looking at doing it in Portebello Institute it's a 2 year course and they are looking at adding a third year to bring it to level 7 but don't know if I can commit to 3 years as I am the sole income in our household these days.
I can do an hons degree (level 8) in early education and care in 2 years part time in Carlow IT but really this only qualifies ppl to open or run a creche/preschool which I can do with level 6 anyway.
My interest is actually in Special Needs Education but I don't have the necessary qualifications to do primary school teaching which is the prefered qualification to be a SN teacher and the only other way in is montessori have looked into St Nicholas but their part time degree (level 7) is 5 years which is way too long.
Am very confused 2 - 3 years is a long time and a lot of money to spend to not be any further qualified.

Hi again, having worked in resource teaching for many years (and qualified to post grad level in special needs), I completed the first year of montessori degree with St.Nicholas as thought myself that it would be a way in to permanent teaching position in this area. However, did not bother to complete the programme as I felt that the "restricted recognition" nature of this qualification would not guarantee much at the moment with so many areas being cut back in the teaching profession. The course itself was good and although part-time involved many hours placement work - I was lucky with this aspect of it as I was already working in a school so these hours could be counted as placement. As you quite rightly point out, the part-time course with St. Nicholas is over 5 years and I would imagine that there are few people who will get full time teaching positions after training. I do belief, that this is the only course that is recognised by Dept of Ed. I may be incorrect but I would check with them first to see if they recognise the montessori course run by Portobello before embarking on it. As you quite rightly say, the level 6 Fetac is the current requirement for all early year settings so there is little to be gained from progressing forward at the moment until the goal posts change again. Having already graduated at level 9 from Univ, I have recently completed the Fetac 6 in childcare management and will not be undertaking any more training in this area unless things change with relation to salary increases.

Al126

Hi bMarley,

I was just reading your message and you seem to have a lot of experience within this sector. Anyway, I was hoping to get a few answers if you don’t mind. I am primary school teacher myself but my girlfriend wants a change of career and she would like to do a course in Montessori teaching (Plus, after getting enough experience open her own creche/Montessori). She was looking at doing the FETAC level 6 through Chevron. It’s mostly online but I assumed it would be ok because it if FETAC credited. So basically, 1.) what qualification do you need to work in a creche/Montessori ?2.) what qualification do you need in order to be applicable for opening your own business. 3.) there seems to be a lot of courses around (But, which ones are necessary with regards to question 1 and 2).
As I said already, I am a primary school teacher so I don’t know the system for working in a Montessori school. However, I am helping my girlfriend achieve her long term goal of opening her own business. Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated