BA Honours in Early Childhood Education and Care

at National College of Ireland

The course incorporates key topics including holistic child development, child health, nutrition and wellbeing, essential legislation and regulatory practices in the Irish and International environments, music, movement, art and drama, creativity and play, methods and approaches to ECEC, working in multi-professional environments, parent/family participation besides aspects of leadership management and governance in the sector. Students are encouraged to reflect, inquire and investigate a range of theoretical and practical pedagogical approaches to learning and development in ECEC.
 

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.
 

Year 1

• Holistic Child Learning and Development

• Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Care

• Music, Movement, Art and Drama

• Academic Foundations and Scholarship

• Essential Legislation and Regulation in ECEC

• Child Health Nutrition and Wellbeing
   

*Field visits to diverse Early Childhood settings will be integrated within these theory modules (6 visits, 3 in each semester)
 

Year 2

• Core Pedagogies and Curriculum in ECEC

• Dispositions and Dynamics of Behaviour in Children

• Managing Your Learning and Academic Practice

• Diversity and Pluralism in Learning Language and Literacies

• Play and Creativity in ECEC

• Placement: Observation and Reflection in ECEC Practice
   

Year 3

• Quality Assurance in ECEC Environments

• Early Learning in a Digital World

• Inquiry Learning – Design and Evaluation of Curriculum in ECEC

• The Child Family and Society – Stakeholders in ECEC

• Leadership and Governance in ECEC Environments

• Placement: Application of Strategies in Learning Environments in ECEC Practice
   

Year 4

• ECEC Inquiry and Research Methods

• Social, Political and Cultural Contexts of ECEC

• Working in Multi Professional Contexts

• Personal and Professional Identity

• Capstone ECEC Practice-based Project
   

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

The minimum entry requirements are a level 5 qualification in any discipline, ideally with professional involvement in the delivery of learning in Early Childhood Education and Care. All applicants will be interviewed by the Programme Director. Applicants with a Major Award in Early Learning and Care/ Early Childhood Education and Care at NFQ level 6 may be eligible for an advanced entry into Year 2 of the programme.
 

The certificate of your English language standard must have been issued within 2 years of the expected start date of your course.  As a guide, the IELTS English language requirements are as follows:
 

• Year 1- €2,370

• Year 2 - €2,625

• Year 3 - €4,000

• Year 4 - €4,000

(Fees revised annually)

Graduates will possess the skills to work as room leaders or supervisors, working directly with children, setting managers, advisory, mentorship, training and leadership roles. 
 

'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 indicates a government commitment towards a graduate-led workforce in ECEC.