Learners need to be in possession of a minimum: 

• 4 SEC Subjects including Maltese, English, Mathematics, and any other subject 
• Proficient in English and Maltese 
• Clean Police Conduct 
• At least 18 years of age at start of the programme 

Local Applicants:
Total Tuition Fees: Eur 1,320

Available to pay in Installments.

For information about funding schemes click here.

The learner will be able to:  

• Describe the main roles and responsibilities of a child carer to assist children in their learning and development from early years childhood 
• List and discuss the different health and safety practices to be taken into consideration when working within childcare 
• Recall the various theories of learning, development and play which are crucial knowledge for the child carer 
• Identify the need and the importance of promoting inclusion, anti-discriminatory practice and equality of opportunity at the childcare centre 
• List and describe various requirements and need to be able to care effectively for children under the age of 3 
• List various recreational activities and discuss how these are important and crucial to assist children in development and learning 
• Recall the importance of promoting positive behaviour 
• Describe the role of reflective practice in childcare 
• Identify the importance of safeguarding, child protection issues and procedures and legislation 
• Demonstrate ability to assist children in their development and learning experience 
• Plan for and mitigate risks regarding health and safety which are relevant for children aged between 0 and 3 
• Demonstrate understanding of different theories of learning, and development and the different stages of development of children 
• Prepare recreational activities, play and experience for children to support development and learning  
• Promote independence in basic needs of children such as potty training, nutrition, and others 
• Practice effective child caring techniques for basic requirements of children including nutrition, nap times, play times and others 
• Apply effective reflective practice techniques to always ensure high quality service and experience 
• Communicate effectively with different stakeholders including children, their parents/guardians and other fellow child carers 
• Promote positive behaviour at the place of work 
• Prepare for and implement an inclusive practice 

View all learning outcomes >

1. Roles and Responsibilities of Childcare Centre 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Group Presentation (20%), Written Essay (70%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

2. Health and Safety Practices 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Examination (90%)  & Reflective Journal (10%)

3. Theories of Child Development and Learning 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Written Essay: 750-1000 words (90%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

4. Promoting Inclusion and Anti-Discriminatory Practice 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Presentation (40%), Written Essay (60%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

5. Caring for Babies and Children (0-3 Years) 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Oral Examination (30%), Written Essay: 750-1000 words (60%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

6. Promoting Professionalism and Positive Behaviour at the Workplace 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Group Presentation (20%), Written Essay: 750-1000 words (70%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

7. Theories of Play and Recreation in Early Years 

• Total contact hours: 30 
• Self-study hours: 115 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Written Essay: 750-1000 words (90%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

8. Reflective Practice in Childcare 

• Total contact hours: 15 
• Self-study hours: 58 
• Assessment hours: 2 
• Mode of teaching: Presentations, Lectures and Discussions.
• Mode of Assessment: Written Essay: 750-1000 words (90%) & Reflective Journal (10%)

9. Work Placement 

• Total study hours: 90 
• Self-study hours: 325 
• Supervised placement and practice hours: 30 
• Assessment hours: 5 
• Mode of teaching: Practice hours
• Mode of Assessment: Observation (40%) & Reflective Journal (60%)

Enrolment is ongoing until 18th September.

For late enrolments, please send a request to info@apexacademy.eu.

Starting 18th September 2023

Target Audience: 16-18; 19-30; 31-65

Target Group: Those interested in acquiring a job in child-care setting; Mode of attendance: Full Time

By obtaining the VET Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care, individuals have the opportunity as well as the necessary skills and knowledge to apply for the post of ‘child carer’ within a childcare centre, in line with the National Occupational Standards issued by MFHEA. 

This programme shall implement various assessment methods, including formative and summative assessments to ensure that the learners have obtained the knowledge and skills to effectively work as a childcare worker. The aforementioned methods of assessment will also be deployed to ensure that the learners are made aware of their strengths and their weaknesses at various points throughout the duration of the programme. Formative and summative assessments are included in the programme as specified below: 

Summative Assessment: 

Summative assessments for this programme include individual assignments, oral examinations, presentation and reports. Learners will also be asked to carry out group presentations to assess effective team and communication skills. In the case that group assessments are used, they will be weighted at 20% of the total mark. 80% of the mark will be based on the individual (written?) assignments submitted by learners.  

Formative Assessment: 

Formative assessments are equally as important as the summative assessments as they outline any challenges as well as the progression that learners have made. It will allow them to understand their strengths and weaknesses and allows the tutor to support them according to these same strengths and weaknesses. Formative assessments included in this programme include reflective journals and observations, carrying 10% of the total mark of the individual modules. Through the formative assessment, learners will be asked to submit a full reflective journal at the end of the module and not drafts. Learners are able to discuss reflective journals with their tutors prior to their final submission. 

Learners must pass from both elements of the assign 

View full Course Assessment >

View the student agreement here.

Pass Rate: 50%

Apex Academy, as licensed education and training provider operating in Malta, is licensed to operate within the further education field and currently Apex Academy offers MQF Level 4 qualifications