BTEA Am I missing something? Feel locked out

[micheller]

I'm hoping maybe someone here can tell me that I have overlooked something in my investigation of government Education schemes. Please chip in if you feel I have missed anything?

I looked at a full time degree for the purposes of BTEA.
I then looked up the CETS scheme for childcare and it would appear that I can only get a CETS place should I want to do a VEC or FAS course?
Is that really the case, is there no childcare for HETAC education? If not the creche fees in the institution are actually higher than what I was paying when working and completely unaffordable.

I then looked up the VEC and FAS courses and none are above a FETAC level 5 and in subject areas that will not aide me in any way.

So, the only option left is to do the course by distance, paying a hefty fee with a reduction for being on Jobseekers? I would prefer the taught degree course and the distance course exams are on the opposite side of the country. Have I missed something, and why is the CETS scheme only provided for the FETAC part of the NFQ?

 

[SarahMc]

Some VECs are now offering Level 6 courses under BTEI, as part of the Jobs Initiative.
You could also investigate community creches in your area, as you will be eligible for the highest subvention whilst recieving BTEA.
Also, you could investigate Springboard courses as an alternative to the degree, they are shorter and more vocationally oriented.

 

[micheller]

Thank you for the information Sarah, appreciate the response
If I do go down this route, I was hoping to go in at the highest educational point I can, so the degree. I would rather not start at the level 6, and when I finish the level 6 I will have this same problem again progressing on from that.
I think my next step is to ring the college and ask about the student assistance fund in relation to Childcare and see what the outcome is.