Study in Donegal

Alex McClay always knew that she wanted to work with children. As a teen, she took any babysitting opportunity she could. Now aged 20, she’s on her first stepping stone to a career in early years education.

A past pupil of Moville Community College, Alex wasn’t sure what route to go down after her Leaving Cert.

“I was looking at college courses but it was too expensive for me. I didn’t know what to do,” she said.

“I found the course in Buncrana and thank God I got in. It’s a Level 5 programme and it’s a good qualification to get in a year.”

Alex’s course is taught in Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Centre in Buncrana. The one year full-time course offers a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. The Early Learning and Care programme is designed to prepare students for work in creches, pre-schools and as Special Needs Assistants but can also act as a foundation for further studies in this area in higher education.

No prior experience is required so nobody feels that they are “thrown in the deep end”, says Alex.

“I thought it was great that the first few weeks gave us an introduction to every module. Everything is explained so well.”

Alex soon discovered a personal passion for understanding children with additional needs.

“The more I looked into it, the more I wanted to take the SNA route to be able to work with children with additional needs in creches.”

The PLC course is tailored to give students the time and flexibility to balance their lives outside the classroom. It is taught three days a week and includes work placement two days per week, which Alex is doing in Busy Bees in Clonmany.

“When I started this course I worried about getting time to work to make money, but you are in from 9am to 3pm, so you can work in the evening or at the weekends. We get loads of time to do our assignments in class so there’s no pressure there,” she said.

Alex, full of praise for the course and her teacher Alison Stevenson, said it was a refreshing change from post-primary school.

“It doesn't feel like school at all because you're treated as an adult, you’re not sitting in a class doing the same thing every day. The staff are so helpful and you’re happy to work knowing that you’re going to get something out of it,” she said.

Other modules on the Early Learning and Care programme include Early Childhood Growth and Development, Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulation, Curriculum Play and Creative Studies, Holistic Care of Children and Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs.

PLC courses are designed for students who have completed their Leaving Certificate and want an extra year to study a specific vocational area. Adults returning to education can also take part and it’s an ideal way to upskill and get back into learning.

Alex adds that there is great support to help all students on their journey.

“You can go to Student Support with any problem. I haven’t used it, but it’s there if you need extra help or if you’re struggling with assignment deadlines.”

Alex did benefit from career guidance from Counsellor Elena Gill, explaining: “It’s a one-on-one appointment where they see how you’re getting on, you can tell what you enjoy doing and they will help you progress and look up courses.”

Alex is confident that she’s on the right path to getting qualifications that she can take anywhere.

“There is a lot of demand for SNAs in childcare, there is a lot of demand for relief staff for people on maternity and sickness. Preschools and creches all around this county are hiring, or you can go anywhere and work.”

Once qualified with a QQI Level 5 award, students can progress to many other courses or directly enter employment in the early years sector. A direct progression pathway exists into the Level 6 Certificate in Early Learning and Care and several other further and higher education courses if considering further studies in the area.

For anyone considering a PLC course or other further education options, Alex recommends talking with Donegal ETB staff, asking the important questions and taking notes.

“I would tell young people to definitely consider a PLC, it can be hard jumping into a college or university degree but I am so happy that I did this year.”

The PLC course completed by Alex is one of a number of QQI Level 5 PLC courses offered by Donegal ETB’s FET Service in three locations (Buncrana, Letterkenny and Stranorlar) – other areas of study include Animal Care, Art, Business, Construction Technology, Health Service Skills, Inclusive Education and Training, Nursing Studies and Sports, Recreation and Exercise. You’ll find their full range of courses across the county on their website, where you can also apply online at any time: www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.