Common Awards System (CAS)
A new national awards system is soon to be introduced for all further education and training. This new system is FETAC’s new national award system and will also provide awards at levels 1 – 6 on the NFQ. It will be known as the Common Awards System (CAS).
The Common Awards System is the new way of developing FETAC awards. It is a coherent and structured way of developing awards, which is consistent with the National Framework of Qualifications. It is outcomes based. By 2014 every FETAC award will be part of this system. This means that all awards will share common characteristics.
Early Childhood Ireland intend to remain at the forefront of these changes and the training we deliver has been developed in accordance with this new Common Awards System.
Main Changes:
The current FETAC Level 5 is made up of 8 modules – the new award will also be made up of 8 modules.
The current FETAC Level 6 is made up of 5 modules – the new award will be made up of 8 modules.
Timeline of Changes
Dec 2012 – Dec 2014:
Learners can submit current modules as exemptions towards the new award along with the new migrated components (interim mix-and-match of module credits)
NOTE: Level 6 – during this mix and match period, a learner:
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who has completed modules under the old system – will now have to complete additional components (modules) to complete a new Level 6 award (which requires 8 components)
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must complete all mandatory components
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will have to apply for exemptions for the modules they have already completed under the old system
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will then receive the new major award
If you have started either a Level 5 or Level 6 old award, you can compare the modules you have completed in the list below against their replacement equivalent in the new awards, for exemption purposes:
M = Mandatory module
E = Elective module
|
Old FETAC Level 5 Award Childcare DCHSC |
New FETAC/QQI L5 Childcare Award 5M2009 |
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Old Module Name & Code |
|
New Module Name & Code |
|
||
|
M |
Child Development |
D20005 |
|
Child Development |
5N1764 |
M |
|
M |
Early Childhood Education |
D20007 |
|
Early Childhood Education & Play |
5N1773 |
M |
|
M |
Caring for Children (0-6yrs) |
D20159 |
|
Child Health & Well Being |
5N1765 |
M |
|
M |
Working in Childcare |
D20153 |
|
Early Care & Education Practice |
5N1770 |
M |
|
M |
Work Experience |
W20008 |
|
Work Experience |
5N1356 |
M |
|
M |
Communications |
G20001 |
|
Communications |
5N0690 |
M |
|
E |
Social Studies |
G20031 |
|
Social Studies |
5N1370 |
E |
|
E |
Integrating Children with Additional Needs |
L21824 |
|
Children with Additional Needs |
5N2396 |
E |
|
Old FETAC Level 6 Award – DCXXX |
New FETAC Level 6 – 6M2007 |
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|
|
Old Module Name & Code |
|
New Module Name & Code |
|
||
|
M |
Child Development |
D30005 |
|
Child Development |
6N1942 |
M |
|
M |
Early Childhood Programmes |
D30176 |
|
Early Childhood Curriculum |
6N1944 |
M |
|
M |
Social & Legal Issues in Childcare |
D30177 |
|
Childhood Social Legal & Health Studies |
6N1945 |
M |
|
M |
Supervision in Childcare |
D30178 |
|
Supervision in Early Childhood Care |
6N1973 |
E |
Jan 2015:
From this point on, ONLY the new common award components may be used to achieve a major award.
Please view the full list of accredited childcare training courses that Early Childhood Ireland currently offers.
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland
In July 2011 the Minister for Education and Skills published the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training ) Bill which provides for the amalgamation of bodies dealing with qualifications and quality assurance in education and training.
The Bill provides for the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), HETAC and FETAC.
The new body will be call the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQI).
