Working in Childcare with no FETAC

Truley

Hi folks I hope this is the right forum for my query. Basically I graduated two years ago with a degree in Social Care. I spent two years working as a care assistant for children with special needs. Along with that I did various other childcare related jobs, summer camps, creches, one to one child minding etc.

The work that I do isn't exactly well paying and not something that warrants a degree level qualification. However I actually love the work I do and there seems to be plenty of work in childcare unlike virtually any other job sector in this country. I also think it's great experience for any future career path I choose to embark on or if I want to travel etc. So for now I'm happy to stick to the path I'm on.

Thing is, for the past few months I have been working part time in a creche. I'm unusual from all the other staff there in that I have a university degree whereby everyone else there would have a FETAC Level 5 in childcare. I'm confused as to where I stand in this regard; I've heard that legislation is going to come in that stipulates workers must have the FETAC to work with children. So I suppose if I want to keep working in creches like I have been, the obvious course of action is to do the FETAC. However I feel that because I already have a degree, I'd be taking a 'step down' qualification wise. So would it be a bit of a waste spending all that time and money to get a qualification that's technically lower than what I already have?

That said, a degree in Social Care is incredibly wishy washy and doesn't really qualify you to do anything in this country. I'm confused as to what I should do or if I should do anything and just carry on working as I have been.

sambuka41

Actually you are in a really good position, with a Social Care degree you can get any social care jobs. These are better paid, working with teenagers, maybe even working with younger kids. Your better off than I am, I have a degree in Psychology and have been working in the area for 5 years but when the statutory regulation comes in I wont be able to get anything cause all the work will go to people with Social Care degrees.

I would image you should be still ok to work in the area you are currently in, cant say for definite but usually they are looking for qualified AT LEAST to level 5, so if you are beyond that and its in a related field it should be ok, best check with your employers, they'll know of any changes coming down the line.

neris

That "all staff must be qualified" thing has been going around for years and will be going on for years more according to hse. The hse say they want 50% of staff to be qualified for the moment.

Truley

Thank you. It just feels like a Social Care degree, while higher than a level 5, doesn't denote a specific skill or qualification and I'm worried it might be too vague for working with young children like I am now.

Sambuka I'm so surprised about that because I would imagine a Psychology degree to be far more relevant to your line of work than a Social Care qualification.

Mrs OBumble

If you're willing to do further study specific to early-childhood, then it might be worth checking out something like this:

http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuing-education-courses/early-childhood-studies-practice.html

It's not aimed at people like you, but it might be good to ask them what you could cross-credit (or whatever it's called here) from a social care degree.

Oh, and a word of warning: if you want to travel, avoid Montessori training. Though it seems to be the standard here, some countries don't even recognise it as a qual any more.

Freaky

I am in a similar position as I have just received a position as a community care assistant, but have no FETAC........I already have a degree in psychology and a masters in health psychology, but I was told when I took the job that I would have to do fetac aswell...it does seem slightly like a step backwards, though I realize they are probably more practical then what I have studied to date!

Does anybody know where I could find more info on these new regulations coming in


Thanks!

Jess18

If you feel that Childcare is the field that you want to go into and that doing a FETAC in Childcare would be a 'step down' for you, why not consider doing a degree in Early Childhood Education and Care. I'm in my 3rd year of a degree course in Early Childhood Ed & Care and I love it!

Personally, I think it is about time legislation was brought in to ensure that all people working with children atleast have FETAC qualifications in Childcare.

Hummingbird1

I am going to assume your degree is either a level 7 or a level 8. if you look for the national framework of qualifications fan you'll see that a fetac level 5 is just bout the leaving cert and a hetac level 7/8 is about that again. so you will have exceeded this minimum expectation.

StillWaters

Hummingbird1 wrote: »

I am going to assume your degree is either a level 7 or a level 8. if you look for the national framework of qualifications fan you'll see that a fetac level 5 is just bout the leaving cert and a hetac level 7/8 is about that again. so you will have exceeded this minimum expectation.

No you won't. You will still need the FETAC level 5 in Childcare, although to be honest I'd skip the level 5 and go straight to level 6 so you can supervise. You may get some exemptions, but you would need the FETAC centre to check your exact modules with you.

The.Russian.one

Hello,

I've recently completed 8 modules and due to receive my FETAC 5 certificate in Community & Health Services. But I am still very confused who can I work as with this cert????
Our tutors claim we can practice as a family support worker, as a carer for the eldely or as a social care workers. Is that true???

Thanks for any replies!

StillWaters

The.Russian.one wrote: »

Hello,

I've recently completed 8 modules and due to receive my FETAC 5 certificate in Community & Health Services. But I am still very confused who can I work as with this cert????
Our tutors claim we can practice as a family support worker, as a carer for the eldely or as a social care workers. Is that true???

Thanks for any replies!

Yes, that is correct.