{"id":8239,"date":"2026-05-29T11:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/?p=8239"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:29:40","slug":"earlylearningcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/earlylearningcare\/","title":{"rendered":"A Professional Career in Early Learning and Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8239\" class=\"elementor elementor-8239\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93fee59 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"93fee59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4596b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d4596b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Thinking About a Career in Early Learning and Care?\u00a0<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea4450 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7ea4450\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c90afeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c90afeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Early Learning and Care (ELC) is about supporting young children (aged 0- 6 years) to learn, grow and thrive in their early years. If you enjoy working with children and want a meaningful,\u00a0rewarding,\u00a0hands-on career, our ELC Programme could be the right choice for you.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An\u00a0<\/span><strong>Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Programme<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0consists of two stages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Stage 1<\/strong>, is placed at NFQ ( National Framework of Qualifications) Level 5, <strong>Stage 2<\/strong> is NFQ Level 6\u00a0and\u00a0is the professional award\u00a0that qualifies\u00a0you\u00a0to work in the early years sector.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This blog answers the most common questions asked by people who are thinking about enrolling in an Early Learning and Care programme.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60c929b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"60c929b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c6b444 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c6b444\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who is the ELC programme for? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8193fe0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8193fe0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fac7aa2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fac7aa2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our Early Learning and Care Programme is suitable for:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">School leavers who want a practical qualification and a clear career pathway into further education or employment<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Adults returning to education after time away from learning<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learners already working in an after-school service who want to gain a recognised qualification to work in early years<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Anyone who wants to progress from\u00a0Stage 1<\/span>,\u00a0NFQ Level 5\u00a0Certificate\u00a0in Early Learning and Care\u202fProgramme\u00a0to\u00a0Stage 2,\u00a0NFQ\u202fLevel 6\u00a0Advanced Certificate\u00a0in Early Learning and Care\u00a0Programme<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(entry requirements apply)\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To enter the programme at Stage 1, NFQ Level 5,\u202fyou do not need previous experience to start. However, at interview applicants must demonstrate:<\/span>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A desire to work in the early learning and care industry<\/span>\u00a0<\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An ability to act with responsibility and autonomy<\/span><\/li><li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An ability to take responsibility for their own learning.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d8bb17 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0d8bb17\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f5e6d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f5e6d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What will I learn on the ELC Programme? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5657644 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5657644\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1ffac3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1ffac3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You will\u00a0gain\u00a0the knowledge, skills and\u00a0professional\u00a0competencies\u00a0required\u00a0to work with young children\u00a0aged\u00a00-6\u00a0years.\u00a0You will\u00a0build confidence in research,\u00a0learn the skill of\u00a0report writing\u00a0and\u00a0gain practical experience\u00a0related to your learning.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Modules at NFQ Level 5 are:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Early Childhood Growth and Development<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Curriculum, Play, and Creative Studies<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children\u2019s Rights, Legislation and Regulation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Holistic Care of Children (0-6 years)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Professional Practice Placement in Early Learning and Care (150 hours placement in an early\u00a0years service)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:2,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learning is practical, relevant and directly linked to the\u202frequirements of early years services.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f3b3b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8f3b3b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c0f818 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c0f818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-8720\" alt=\"Early Learning and Care books on table\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-76.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdaed61 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cdaed61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63f8b18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63f8b18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What qualification will I receive?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c35a7b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c35a7b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7eb2c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7eb2c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learners who successfully complete Stage 1 of the ELC programme receive a <em>NFQ <\/em>Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care.<\/p><p>This qualification is widely recognised and allows you to work in TUSLA regulated early years services as an Early Years Educator.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4180e80 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4180e80\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4936102 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4936102\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can the Stage 1, NFQ Level 5 ELC programme lead to entry onto the NFQ Level 6 ELC programme?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a4373b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a4373b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09426a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"09426a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, the Stage 1, Level 5 programme is a clear stepping stone to Stage 2, the\u00a0NFQ Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Programme.<\/p><p>Learners having gained the NFQ Level 5 qualification can apply for entry to the NFQ Level 6 ELC programme. Graduates from the NFQ Level 6 ELC Programme qualify as Lead Educators.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe5420 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1fe5420\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-078a781 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"078a781\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Will I complete Professional Practice Placement hours?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19a3e08 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19a3e08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b793f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b793f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, professional practice placement is a mandatory element of the programme. You will complete a 150-hour placement in an early learning and care service working with children up to 6 years of age at each stage of the programme. This placement helps you gain real-world experience, confidence and an opportunity to obtain professional competencies. We support you with placement preparation and requirements, to include Garda Vetting application and safety training.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53ed006 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"53ed006\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb8f482 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb8f482\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-8721\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-15.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb7cac2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cb7cac2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f659080 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f659080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How long is the programme?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e5d893 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4e5d893\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b68f7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b68f7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Programme length can vary depending on your centre and study option. Full time programmes typically run over the academic year, with options for full-time or part-time study.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56c17e7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"56c17e7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cea5b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cea5b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What support is available to learners?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc58d0c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dc58d0c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b65b16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b65b16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learners receive support and guidance from teachers with early years experience. Study support is available throughout the programme, including help with assessment, placement and progression planning.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4591d24 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4591d24\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7295960 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7295960\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What jobs can I get after completing the ELC Programme?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f994611 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f994611\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60773a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60773a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After completing the programme, learners work under supervision as Early Years Educators and room supervisors as Lead Educators. There is strong demand for qualified educators in early learning and care services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7bed12 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f7bed12\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4051bf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4051bf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-8722\" alt=\"Child and adult playing with putty\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/loetb.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260421_LOETB_lowres-21.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b87a58f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b87a58f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39bb2a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39bb2a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conas a dh\u00e9anaim iarratas?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-859b2d9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"859b2d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-604f3ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"604f3ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Applying is simple: choose the centre that suits you (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tullamorefetc.ie\/courses\/full-time-courses\/childcare-courses\/elcl5\/\">An Tulach Mh\u00f3r<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>n\u00f3 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.portlaoiseinstitute.ie\/?page_id=3330\">Port Laoise<\/a><\/span>), check programme start dates and entry requirements, complete the application process, and attend an information session or interview if required. Our staff are happy to guide you through each step.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-043a51d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"043a51d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-377a98a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"377a98a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ready to take the next step?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b6e3d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8b6e3d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e816632 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e816632\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A career in Early Learning and Care is rewarding, practical and full of opportunities. Whether you are leaving school, returning to education or aiming for a NFQ Level 6 qualification, this programme can help you move forward.<\/p><p>Contact your local FET (Further Education and Training) Centre today to find out more and apply.<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tullamorefetc.ie\/courses\/full-time-courses\/childcare-courses\/elcl5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Certificate in Early Learning and Care &#8211; Stage 1 (Level 5) in Tullamore FETC<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a title=\"Certificate in Early Learning and Care (Stage 1) Level 5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.portlaoiseinstitute.ie\/?page_id=3330\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Certificate in Early Learning and Care &#8211; Stage 1 (Level 5) in\u00a0Portlaoise Institute<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06464c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"06464c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db02162 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db02162\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Discover what ELC can offer you - Watch the videos below<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54a15ad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"54a15ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5101634 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"5101634\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/4IXDEUtzxow?si=0HLX89Dqkxd3iZwB&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;play_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5df976d e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5df976d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ce3404 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"6ce3404\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/utzrJlrDVvQ?si=4fV0SCZCjoKmXyka&quot;,&quot;cc_load_policy&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad53ab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"ad53ab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/jYyVKveSflE?si=LT6-LX2F7uRdueAL&quot;,&quot;cc_load_policy&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61ff6d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"61ff6d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/ZrKWHwM0Bb4?si=clnPQu12h4AMaGvP&quot;,&quot;cc_load_policy&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5e672d elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"f5e672d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/Iylq7Qdasck?si=-c-DS0qsWcGblUfo&quot;,&quot;cc_load_policy&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thinking About a Career in Early Learning and Care?\u00a0 Early Learning and Care (ELC) is about supporting young children (aged 0- 6 years) to learn, grow and thrive in their early years. If you enjoy working with children and want a meaningful,\u00a0rewarding,\u00a0hands-on career, our ELC Programme could be the right choice for you.\u202f\u00a0 The\u00a0Advanced Certificate [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[87,8],"tags":[73,74,38,96,46],"class_list":["post-8239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-early-learning-and-care","category-further-education-and-training","tag-early-learning-and-care","tag-elc","tag-fet","tag-further-education-and-training","tag-loetb"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8239"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8740,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239\/revisions\/8740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loetb.ie\/ga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}