Early Learning and Care Stage 1 with Special Needs (Early Learning and Care Stage 1 with Special Needs) Level 5

Professional practice placements in Early Learning and Care (ELC) Level 5 are designed to provide learners with hands-on experience working directly with children.

Placement Hours
• 150 hours of professional practice placement are required.
• These hours must be completed in a minimum of two different ELC settings.

Age Groups
• Learners work with children from birth to 2 years 8 months in one setting.
• In the second setting, they work with children aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years

Learning Outcomes
• Focuses on developing foundational skills in early childhood care and education.

Roles and Responsibilities
• Learners are expected to actively engage and apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings
• Supervisors provide guidance and assess the learners’ performance.

Assessment
• Learners are assessed on their ability to perform work-based competencies and mandatory activities
• Regular tripartite meetings involving the learner, supervisor, and placement monitor ensure ongoing support and feedback.

These placements are crucial for developing practical skills and understanding the dynamics of early childhood education.

Children’s rights legislation and regulations are designed to protect and promote the well-being of children. Here are some key aspects:

International Frameworks
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): This is a comprehensive human rights treaty that outlines the rights of children and the responsibilities of governments to protect these rights

National Legislation
• Child Protection Laws: These laws vary by country but generally include provisions to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
. Examples include:
• Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in the United States
• Children Act 1989 in the United Kingdom.

Specific Regulations
• Education: Ensuring access to quality education and protecting children’s rights within educational settings
• Health and Welfare: Regulations to ensure children receive adequate healthcare and support services
• Juvenile Justice: Protecting the rights of children within the justice system, including fair treatment and rehabilitation.

Implementation and Monitoring
• Government Agencies: Various agencies are responsible for implementing and monitoring children’s rights, such as child welfare services and ombudsman offices.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children play a crucial role in advocating for children’s rights and providing support

These frameworks and regulations are essential for safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring their holistic development.

Early childhood growth and development encompass the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur from birth to around six years of age.

Physical Development
• Infancy (0-2 years): Rapid growth in height and weight, development of motor skills like crawling, walking, and grasping.
• Preschool Years (3-6 years): Refinement of gross motor skills such as running, jumping, and climbing, and fine motor skills like drawing and cutting.

Cognitive Development
• Infancy: Exploration of the environment through senses, beginning of problem-solving skills
• Preschool Years: Development of memory, attention, and language skills, ability to solve simple problems and understand basic concepts.

Social and Emotional Development
• Infancy: Formation of attachment bonds with caregivers, recognition and expression of basic emotions
• Preschool Years: Development of self-awareness, ability to interact with peers, understanding and managing emotions.

Communication Skills
• Infancy: Babbling, first words, and simple sentences
• Preschool Years: Expansion of vocabulary, ability to form complex sentences, and engage in conversations.

Moral and Spiritual Development
• Infancy: Beginning to understand concepts of right and wrong through interactions.
• Preschool Years: Development of empathy, understanding of rules, and formation of basic moral values.

Influencing Factors
• Genetics: Inherited traits and predispositions
• Environment: Quality of interactions, nutrition, physical activity, and overall health
• Experiences: Play, relationships, and learning opportunities

Early childhood is a critical period for laying the foundation for future growth and development. Each child may reach developmental milestones at different times, and it’s important to provide a supportive and nurturing environment to facilitate their progress.

This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to engage with curricular approaches through play and creative opportunities. Here are the key components:

Course Content
• Child Development Theories: Understanding various theories of child development and learning, including those by Piaget, Chomsky, Erikson, Bowlby, Ainsworth, Pavlov, and Skinner
• Holistic Development: Covering physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, moral, spiritual, creative, and cultural development
• Curricular Approaches: Engaging with different curricular approaches and how they can be implemented through play and creative activities.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Emphasizing the importance of diversity, identity, and cultural contexts within early years education.

Learning Outcomes
• Practical Application: Learners will be able to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, creating engaging and inclusive learning environments
• Creative Opportunities: Developing skills to use play and creative activities to support children’s learning and development
• Observation and Assessment: Gaining competencies in observing and assessing children’s development and learning needs.

Assessment
• Continuous Assessment: Learners are assessed through assignments, practical tasks, and observations
• Reflective Practice: Encouraging learners to reflect on their practice and make improvements based on feedback.

This module is essential for anyone pursuing a career in early childhood education, providing a comprehensive foundation in curriculum development and creative teaching methods.

This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to support children with diverse learning requirements.

Course Content
• Developmental Theories: Understanding various theories of child development and how they apply to children with additional needs.
• Inclusive Practices: Learning strategies to create inclusive environments that accommodate children with disabilities and developmental delays.
• Observation and Assessment: Developing skills to observe and assess the needs of children with additional needs.
• Family-Centered Practice: Emphasising the importance of involving families in the care and support of children with additional needs
• Support Services: Identifying and accessing additional support options and resources.

Learning Outcomes
• Holistic Approach: Learners will be able to implement a holistic approach to support the development of children with additional needs.
• Practical Skills: Gaining hands-on experience in creating supportive and inclusive environments
• Reflective Practice: Encouraging learners to reflect on their practice and make improvements based on feedback.

Assessment
• Continuous Assessment: Learners are assessed through assignments, practical tasks, and observations
• Reflective Practice: Encouraging learners to reflect on their practice and make improvements based on feedback.

This module is essential for anyone pursuing a career in early childhood education, providing a comprehensive foundation in understanding and assisting children with additional needs.

This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for the holistic care, wellbeing, safety, and health of young children.

Course Content
• Child Development: Understanding physical, intellectual, language, social, spiritual, and emotional development of children from birth to six years
• Theoretical Frameworks: Application of frameworks like Aistear and Síolta to support holistic child development
• Play and Learning: Emphasizing the importance of play in early childhood and how it supports various areas of development.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting equality and inclusion within early learning settings
• Health and Safety: Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of children through proper care practices.

Learning Outcomes
• Holistic Approach: Learners will be able to implement a holistic approach to child care, considering all aspects of a child’s development.
• Observation and Assessment: Developing skills to observe and assess children’s development and learning needs.
• Practical Skills: Gaining hands-on experience in creating supportive and nurturing environments for children.

Assessment
• Continuous Assessment: Learners are assessed through a combination of assignments, practical tasks, and observations.
• Reflective Practice: Encouraging learners to reflect on their practice and make improvements based on feedback.

This module is essential for anyone pursuing a career in early childhood education, providing a comprehensive foundation in holistic child care.