The NCEF Children's Fitness specialist module will give you the skills and knowledge to:

• Design, plan and teach safe, enjoyable and effective health-related activity sessions for children aged 4 to 12 years.

• You may choose to work in the local community, local schools as a guest specialist, after school centres, summer camps etc.

• Improve and encourage increased activity levels of children in a fun environment.

• Provide much needed activity classes for children without competitive emphasis.

All NCEF courses and modules are accredited by the University of Limerick (UL).

• University of Limerick Accredited

• 15 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits towards the Higher Certificate/Diploma/B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through our flexible learning pathway and also towards other University qualifications in Europe who follow ECTS credit value system.

• Europe Active Level 5 Exercise Specialist Module

• Successful students will receive an NCEF Certificate of Completion

1. Health Related Activity for Children - Theory & Practice

• Anatomy and physiology of growth and maturation in children

• Stages of motor learning, development and training

• Wellness for children

• Practical teaching and programme design

2. Tusla Children First E-Learning Programme

• All students are required to complete the Tusla Children First e-learning programme. This is a free online programme of study that takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. This covers topics including recognising and reporting child abuse, the role of mandated persons, the responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children, the role of designated liaison persons. When you have completed the programme, you will receive a digital certificate of completion from Tusla which must be submitted to the NCEF Head Office prior to commencement of the Children's Fitness module.

3. Health Related Activity for Children - Application

• Work Experience Portfolio

• Preparation for assessments

4. Final Summative Assessments

• Practical Summative Assessment (Submission of Videos)

• Online Summative Assessment

Children’s Fitness Module – Fees

The fee for the Children’s Fitness module is €1,495.

Payment Options

Option 1: Full Payment

• Pay the full fee of €1,495 on acceptance of your place.

• This includes a non-refundable deposit of €595.

Option 2: Split Payment

• A non-refundable deposit of €595 is due on acceptance of your place.

• The remaining balance of €900 must be paid minimum 6 weeks before the module begins.

If you are taking this module as part of the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (Year 2), the cost is already included in your programme fees.

Learner Protection

In compliance with Section 65(4)(a) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, Learner Protection arrangements have been secured with Arachas Insurance. This ensures cover in the unlikely event that NCEF ceases to provide the programme before completion.

NCEF Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) NFQ Level 6

OR

NCEF/PEAI Level 1 National Certificate in Fitness & Exercise Instruction - Current and Recertified

You must also hold a PHECC First Aid Response qualification.

*Garda vetting is required. On payment of fees, you will be sent for Garda vetting, through the University of Limerick.

*Tusla Children First e-Learning - All students are required to complete the TUSLA Children First e-learning programme. This is a free online programme of study that takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. This covers topics including recognising and reporting child abuse, the role of mandated persons, the responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children, the role of designated liaison persons. When you have completed the programme, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Tusla which must be submitted to the NCEF Head Office prior to commencement of the Children's Fitness module.

If you hold another health/fitness qualification from another institution/s or bodies and relevant work experience in the fitness industry, we ask you to complete an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) application form which is a common route of entry onto NCEF courses. Please click here to apply through RPL

Online Delivery

All content, including lectures, progress assessments, videos, and resource materials, is delivered via the University of Limerick’s virtual learning environment, Brightspace.

Children's Fitness is delivered entirely online, allowing you to study from home, abroad, or anywhere with an internet connection.

Learning on Brightspace

• Brightspace integrates a wide range of tools to support teaching, assessment, feedback, collaboration, and communication.

• Flexible learning - Classes are pre-recorded with voiceover, so you can study at a time that suits you.

• No fixed timetable - there are no live class requirements - you set your own schedule.

Start Dates

Spring 2026: Monday, 26th January to Late-April 2026

Autumn 2026: Monday 7th September to December 2026

Applications are now open. Click here to apply