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2025 Sem1 HDip in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education SETU
September 9, 2025 - December 23, 2025
9:30 am - 5:00 pm
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Please note, this is a payment portal only
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Payment of €875 is now due for Semester 1 of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education at SETU starting in September 2025
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Please only make payment if you have been accepted onto the programme by SETU and approved for funding by Waterford Chamber Skillnet
Important Payment Information:
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The total cost of this programme is €3500 and Waterford Chamber Skillnet are part funding this programme by 50%.
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Payment is due per Semester with Semester 1 payment of €875 due before Semester 1 starts in September 2025.
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Payment for semester 2 will be due in January 2025 (subject to Waterford Chamber Skillnet funding availability).
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Failure to make either payment by the due date will result in funding being cancelled and the full amount being owed to SETU directly (€3500 for the full course or €1750 per semester)
Who is eligible to apply for this training programme?
This funding is available to Private sector or commercial semi-state enterprises only. By completing this application you are confirming funds are from a private commercial entity.
Unfortunately the following organisations are not eligible:
- Public sector organisations, ie schools
- Charity or Not-for-Profit Organisations, and
- Companies based outside the Republic of Ireland
DCEDIY Approved List and QAB Approval Status
As regards the professional status of the various Early Years qualifications please see the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth website.
Please note that this course:
* is on the DCEDIY approved qualifications list and is approved by DCEDIY for the following:
– Meets regulatory requirements.
– Eligible for Room Leader – standard capitation.
– Eligible for Room Leader – higher capitation.
* the course is designed for:
– Applicants with an existing level 7 major award in Early Childhood Studies, or equivalent, and with at least two years of relevant work experience who wish to progress to progress to level 8;
– Applicants with an existing major award at level 8 degree in a cognate area who wish to convert to a career in early childhood care and education. Cognate degrees are defined as level 8 degrees in which Psychology, Sociology or Early Years Education was a major component.
* This course is not suitable for:
– people with no existing childcare qualifications – or cognate qualifications as above.
– this is because the Government’s “Qualifications Advisory Board for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector” has decided that going forward – for new entrants to childcare ( for example people taking-up a childcare qualification straight after secondary school ) – that it will recognise only full degree programmes, find out more here.
If you have any questions please email Jackie at skillnet@waterfordchammber.ie