The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care is a four-year programme, designed for people who are interested in pursuing opportunities or upskilling, in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector.
This is a full-time evening delivery programme with online classes two evenings a week and some Saturdays on campus.
The aim of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care is to provide learners with a firm foundation in Early Childhood Education and Care so as to practice as Professional Early Childhood Educators in a range of ECEC environments. As such, the programme aims to present learners with a comprehensive foundation in the principles and pillars of professional practice of early childhood education and care in Ireland and internationally, underpinned by a solid theoretical framework.
The course incorporates core topics including holistic child learning and development, essential legislation and regulatory practices, early learning in a digital world, pedagogical practice in ECEC, working with parents and families, and in multiprofessional contexts. It also includes aspects related to quality assurance. Students are encouraged to reflect, inquire and investigate a range of theoretical and practical pedagogical approaches to learning and development in ECEC.
The final year Capstone Project enables students to develop skills in researching Early Childhood Practice. Students will be enabled as innovators and leaders in the ECEC sector.
This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.
*Applicants with a Major Award at NFQ level 6 may be eligible for an advanced entry into Year 2 of the programme – see the "Advanced Entry into Year 2" tab for further information.
This course is ideally suited to those currently working with babies, toddlers and young children from birth to six, who wish to upskill. You could be working in a pre-school, creche, Naionrai, or home-based setting as a child minder or home visitor.
The programme is also for those working in regulatory bodies such as TUSLA (the child and family support agency) and Better Start or other early childhood intervention programmes.
We encourage school leavers and mature learners returning to education to apply.
If you are interested in learning more about this programme, then check out "Why Study Early Childhood Education?".
This programme is approved by Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 degree programmes for the Early Learning and Care sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.
The programme links in with the Nurturing Skills Workforce Plan 2022-28, which aims to professionalise Irish Early Childhood Education and Care, through a graduate led workforce. These changes are guided by ‘First Five’ - Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019).
Graduates will possess the skills and competencies to work as lead educators or supervisors, working directly with children, setting managers, advisory, mentorship, training and leadership roles. Further specialisation in play and digital competence can open up related careers in Play Therapy; and developing digital technology for ECEC (robotics, learning platforms, apps etc).
‘First 5’: A Whole–of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2018) suggests a reform in the Early Learning and Care Sector moving towards a graduate-led workforce. The ECCE Scheme (free preschool years) also offers a higher capitation fee to Early Childhood Education and Care service providers where all leaders hold a Bachelor of Arts (Ord) Degree in Childhood/Early Education (Level 7 on the NFQ or equivalent) and have three years of experience in the sector. This and the recent Core Funding initiative of the Irish Govt indicates a government commitment towards a graduate-led workforce in ECEC.
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