Unprecendented Demand for Childcare Training in Galway
Press Release –
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Demand for
childcare training has reached an all time high since the introduction of the
government’s new Free Pre-school Scheme. The Early Childhood Care and
Education (ECCE) Scheme requires that staff in childcare services have
accredited childcare training in order to participate in the scheme. “This has
been a welcome step in the professionalization of childcare”, says
Mary Giblin, Coordinator of
Galway
City & County Childcare Committee.
A total of 35
accredited childcare courses are now available at FETAC centres in
GalwayCity
and County, catering for more than 500 students. The majority of these courses
take place at VEC training centres while some are operated by private training
providers. FÁS also provides accredited childcare training.
Students of
childcare now have more options than ever when choosing courses. The cost
of courses varies and students should shop around at different centres to ensure
they get the best value. Log on to http://www.galwaychildcare.com/training_cal.asp
for contact details of FETAC centres providing childcare training in
Galway.
Fiona McLoughlin,
Adult Education Officer at City of
Galway
VEC advises students to check in advance that any
training centre is FETAC registered (see http://www.fetac.ie/qa/ProviderQAList.htm
for a list of registered training centres).
To meet the
requirements of the ECCE scheme, pre-school leaders must have a major
award at FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 (or equivalent) by 2012. Eithne Nic Dhonnchadha, Adult Education
Officer at County Galway VEC recommends that students always check the core
module requirements before commencing any course. These are listed on the
FETAC website.
For further
information about the requirements of the ECCE Free Pre-School Scheme contact
Galway City & County Childcare Committee at 091 752039 or email mail@galwaychildcare.com
