Children's Care, Learning and Development (Leadership and Management Pathway) - Level 5 Diploma

Grace Kearney

Grace Kearney from Clady Portglenone, is currently working in the Loughgiel Early Years After School Club, having progressed from a supervisory role to deputy leader. She has worked with the playgroup for 13 years and two or three years into the role became a supervisor.  In her present role as deputy leader she has embarked on the Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development.  

“Doing the course has really helped my professional development. It helped me take a critical look at how I perform in practice and I can take what I learn in class back to others. The support from the lecturers and others in the class is always great and very helpful.”   

Karen Traynor

Karen Traynor is a leader at Stepping Stones Playgroup in Ballymoney. She did the course because it is a requirement of her funded job but she was delighted to get the opportunity to do it.  

Karen started Stepping Stones 2004, she did a Level 2 in Children in 2003, and this helped her get a job as assistant in the playgroup.  

She progressed to Level 3 at the College, studying part time, while working full-time in Stepping stones. In 2017, she was appointed deputy leader which required her to complete the Level 5. It has been a great time for her professionally and she would recommend the course  

“Before I started the course, I wasn’t computer literate and I panicked when I realised what was involved in putting together the e-portfolio.  

I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do it but I’m so glad I persevered and managed to get through with the support of the lecturers and others in the class.  

I’d no idea about Powerpoint presentations but had to produce a leaflet as part of the course. Now that I can do it, it will really help me in my job as I can do things myself that I would have had to asked others to do before. We needed funded for ICT equipment for example and I was able to help write and submit the application.” 

Karen continues, “When the leader retired, I took on the role and there is a lot more to it so the course has been a great help for my own professional development.  I would have no hesitation in recommending the course.” 

Natasha Lyttle

Natasha Lyttle from Ballymoney works with Dervock Communiy Playgroup. To progress within her workplace, she needs the Level 5 qualification as it is a requirement for the post of deputy leader of the playgroup. 

After completing her GCSEs at Ballymoney High School, Natasha attended Northern Regional College to study Level 2 in Health and Social Care and then progressed to Level 3.  After College she applied for a job in a Ballymoney school as a SEN Teaching Assistant and stayed there on temporary contract until June 2017 and then worked with Kidz Club.  

Natasha describes her experience of the course, “I enjoy the course but it can be difficult to get the right balance. I’m the youngest in the class so I learn from the others who have much more practical experience. I’m learning on the job all the time and there is great support from the College staff.” 

Now that she has the bug, she is considering her options, among them doing another course so that she can become an assessor.  

Natasha explains, “Level 5 can be a progression route to university and I could get exemptions if I was doing Childcare. I’ll way up my options more once I finish my course.”  

Josephine Campbell

Josephine Campbell has previously completed a number of courses at the College including Level 2 and 3 in Childcare Learning and Development and Level 4 Autism and is currently enrolled on the Level 5 Childcare Learning and Development. 

For some the Level 5 Childcare Learning and Development course is a requirement by Social Services to complete the course for their job role but for Josephine it wasn’t.  She wanted to study the course to improve her own professional practice within her job role as Manager of Dalriada after schools’ club –Kidz Club.   

Josephine explains, “I enrolled on this course as I wanted to improve my own personal practice which I can say I have done in leaps and bounds. I think I have a better understanding of my role and because of this, I can do a better job and give staff more support. It has also helped me to keep on top of changing legislation like Data Protection and Child Protection. 

“Everyone thinks it’s a time consuming course, and it is. It is a great course and a good way of learning from best practice elsewhere in the sector but you need to be prepared to put in the effort. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the lecturers. I would fully recommend this course to others.