Childcare Courses

nicki11

Hi

I just finished college and I want to do a childcare course. I've been looking into it and a level 5 appears to be what I want (to open up employment opportunities). I was looking for advice on which course to do where (in Galway) and if I can get a grant or the dole while doing it as I have no savings to pay for the course and my degree is useless with regard to qualifying me to work in a creche. I have a lot of experience working with children but would prefer a creche/childcare environment to teaching. There is also the new rules coming into effect in September which mean I need this qualification.

idek1

Hi, I believe you can only get a grant of your progressing e.g moving from level 6 to level 8. To be sure though I would check by contacting susi or maybe even vtos? Fas is another good source for information.

Not a childcare worker myself, my auntie is and even though she already has a level 5 in childcare and special needs assistant she was told at her job (she's been there 4 years) that she needs to do a level 6. So different childcare employers may require other qualifications.

Best of luck with the career change

dottybows

Hi there,

I've also been looking for information on this.
I am 27, currently unemployed, have a one-year-old daughter. A few months ago at a meeting with the social welfare office I was asked if I would like to do a course and I told them I would like to do a childcare course. She said I should apply at my local college which I did. I will have to attend an interview late August/early September.
I had another meeting with the Social welfare officer yesterday and when I asked her about the money side of it she didn't give me any real information.

So,

Do I apply for Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) or a Maintenance Grant or something else altogether?
Does this cover the cost of the course? This is a full time, 8 month course and I will need to put my daughter into Childcare while I'm in college. Do I get help with paying for this also? There is no way I could afford Childcare Cost by myself. This is all really confusing. Any help is appreciated.

nicki11

Are online courses better then fetac and where can I apply

idek1

dottybows wrote: »

Hi there,

I've also been looking for information on this.
I am 27, currently unemployed, have a one-year-old daughter. A few months ago at a meeting with the social welfare office I was asked if I would like to do a course and I told them I would like to do a childcare course. She said I should apply at my local college which I did. I will have to attend an interview late August/early September.
I had another meeting with the Social welfare officer yesterday and when I asked her about the money side of it she didn't give me any real information.

So,

Do I apply for Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) or a Maintenance Grant or something else altogether?
Does this cover the cost of the course? This is a full time, 8 month course and I will need to put my daughter into Childcare while I'm in college. Do I get help with paying for this also? There is no way I could afford Childcare Cost by myself. This is all really confusing. Any help is appreciated.

i would say to contact susi (by phone) , they're great for advice. applications for susi close on the 1st of august so i would try ring asap. best of luck