This Advanced Certificate in Supervision in Childcare Course is open to all with general work/life experience.  It is a suitable course for those with a significant professional interest in Childcare and who wish to gain a nationally accredited award as a Childcare Supervisor. 

The Aim of the Advanced Certificate in Childcare is to:

• Develop an understanding of  the interdependency of all domains of child development and its impact on early childhood education and care practice. 
• Acquire an understanding of early childhood programmes. 
• Develop an awareness of social and legal issues which relate directly to and impact on early childhood education and care settings. 
• Enhance professional communication skills to promote effective interaction with all stakeholders.

Advanced Certificate in Supervision in Childcare - Mandatory Modules

Module 1 - Child Development

• Recognise the capabilities and potential of the individual child across all domains of development.
• Carry out observation and evaluation techniques, and understand their implications for practice.
• Understand the influence of genetic, social, cultural and environmental factors on the overall development of the child.
• Understand the interdependency of all domains of development critically reflect on child development.
• Theory and its impact on early childhood education and care practice.

Module 2 -. Early Childhood Programmes

• Acquire an understanding of early childhood programmes.
• Understand the integrated role of learning, development and curriculum/programmes.
• Appreciate the range of features involved in effective early childhood programmes.
• Explore the role and responsibilities of the supervisor and the childcare worker in relation to programme practice.
• Appreciate the interrelationship between planning, implementation, evaluation and curriculum / programmes.

Module 3 – Supervision in Childcare

• Acquire the skills, knowledge and competence required to supervise an early childhood education and care setting and support others in their role and performance.
• Recognise the benefits of being a reflective practitioner.
• Analyse relevant theory and relate it to the practice of supervision.
• The ability to lead, motivate and support a team.
• Devise strategies for working in partnership with parents/carers and external organisations.

Module 4 Social and Legal Issues in Childcare

• Be familiar with international perspectives on early childhood education and care.
• Appreciate a range of factors influencing and impacting on early childhood education and care in Ireland.
• Develop an awareness of statutory regulations and voluntary guidelines, which relate directly to and impact on early childhood education and care settings.
• Understand and interpret social policy as it impacts on children and their families.
• Understand the procedures for dealing with suspected or actual abuse and the need for support for children, families and staff. Understand the principles of equality and its application in an early childhood education and care setting.

Elective Modules
Learners will need to bring forward two FETAC Level 5 modules or complete two additional FETAC Level 5 Modules with Dorset College to achieve their Major Award.

All participants must have access to a professional Childcare environment to fulfill the assessment requirements of the course - which is at least 100 hours work experience.

A combination of module appropriate assessment procedures will facilitate the assessment of learning outcomes of the course.  These methods will include a combination of final written examinations and continuous assessment processes such as assignments, collection of work, learner records, projects and skills demonstration. All assignments will be designed to maximize the individual participant’s skills in their career development. 

On successful completion of the course students are awarded the:

FETAC Advanced Certificate in Supervision in Childcare Level 6 (Major Award)