Certificate in Early Learning & Care - QQI level 5
Our new Early Learning and Care Level 5 programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to care for and educate children from birth to six years old. Whether working independently or as part of a team, you’ll learn to provide holistic care and enriching learning experiences across a variety of early learning and care settings. This program also supports your development as a professional in the early learning and care community.
Delivered through live online webinars, face to face classes and access to associated reading material.
Course Details
Certificate in Early Learning & Care - QQI level 5
Carol Mulholland
Carol is an Early Years Educator with fifteen years experience in the Early Learning and Care sector, an Author of young children’s books focusing on Neurodiversity, and an Early Learning and Care Tutor. She is passionate about Neurodiversity in early childhood education and focused on this within her B.A & M.Ed. research studies. Carol believes all children should feel included and that they belong in the foundational stage of their education journey. Carol’s role with City College Dublin is to support students throughout their Early Learning and Care studies. To ensure students access to and understanding of course materials in order to reach their educational goals and impact them professionally. Carol is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with ELC students and supporting them throughout their studies.
Rebecca Harte
Tara Watts
Leila Marlise da Rocha Goncalves
Related minor awards
Students can avail of an option to study the following minor awards, which can be purchased individually and outside of the above major award.
Available Blended Online
The purpose of this minor award is to provide learners who are interested in embarking on a career within the Early Years sector, those who wish to up skill (i.e., learners with older Early Years qualifications who wish to update their knowledge) or those with a personal interest in the sector (i.e. parents of children in Early Years) with an introduction to Early Learning and Care and Child Safeguarding. It aims to provide learners with an understanding of the sector as it currently stands in Ireland including the various service types available, the key stakeholder groups, the role of policies and procedures within ELC, and the primary legislation, frameworks and strategies it operates within. This minor award also aims to draw attention to the relevant child protection legislation and the key roles played by those within the ELC sector.
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If you have any questions about this course, you can speak directly with a member of our admissions team.
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Certificate in Early Learning & Care - QQI level 5 Testimonials
04.05.2026
Before joining the college, I came from a completely different academic and professional background. I hold a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences and a master’s in business administration, and I had no prior knowledge of Early Learning and Childcare. Despite my strong educational background, entering this field felt like starting from scratch. However, I was eager to learn more about children and to gain meaningful knowledge in this area. At the beginning, the course felt challenging, but with the continuous support I got at City College Dublin, my journey became easier and more structured. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my tutor, Ms. Carol Mulholl and as she has been incredibly encouraging, supportive, and understanding throughout my journey. She always made me feel included, valued, and confident in my abilities. Her continuous support and motivation have made a significant difference in my learning experience. City College Dublin has been excellent in providing well-organized course notes and consistent support throughout the programme. The tutors are extremely helpful, especially during the live webinars, which are very interactive and engaging. This made learning more enjoyable and allowed me to ask questions and build my understanding in a supportive environment. The step-by-step approach to teaching helped me build my confidence over time. Through the various modules, I have gained valuable knowledge and practical insights into Early Learning and Childcare. Today, I am proud to say that I am progressing well and developing a strong foundation in this field. I would highly encourage others to take part in courses like this at City College Dublin. The flexibility to study at your own pace and comfort makes it accessible for everyone. With dedication and the right support, you can successfully complete this course. Looking ahead, I am planning to continue my studies by progressing to QQI Level 6 with City College Dublin. I am truly grateful to City College Dublin for providing such a supportive learning environment and helping me grow academically and professionally.
24.04.2026
I really enjoyed this early learning and care level 5 course. I found it very interesting and very beneficial. The course content was very informative and knowledgeable. At first, I found Moodle a little bit difficult to navigate but once I got the hang of it, it was quite easy to use and all the information needed was there. Sometimes there was a lot of content to read and I did find it a lot at times even stressful especially in the evenings as I work full time and had a house and family to care for. I am a very visual learner, so I did enjoy the videos and live classes. I really found the inclusive and child development modules very interesting and gave me a better understanding of the holistic wellbeing of a child. I also enjoyed my work placement where I gained a lot of hands-on experience. I felt my tutor Fationa Demiraj was very supportive, understanding and easy to talk to and for this I would like to thank her. I feel that I am more confident and am looking forward to working as an early years educator in the near future.
27.04.2026
I recently completed my QQI Level 5 in Early Childcare course at City College Dublin, and overall, it was a really positive experience. The course was delivered over a short timeframe, which made it ideal for fitting around other commitments, and it never felt overwhelming to me, while studying and being a mom of my own two children. The structure was clear and easy to follow, with well-organized modules and straightforward instructions on all the assignments and projects. My lecturer Fationa, was great with guiding me through the assignments and helped a great deal with the course. The online platform was simple to navigate, so I always knew where to find materials, assignments, and feedback without any confusion. Fationa was supportive and responsive, providing helpful guidance whenever needed. Assignments were practical and relevant, which made the learning experience engaging and worthwhile. I would definitely recommend City College Dublin to anyone looking for a flexible, efficient way to complete a QQI Level 5 qualification in Early Childcare. I will be furthering my studies with City College Dublin, and I look forward to completing the degree programme.
