Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Early Years Care and Education

Why take this course?
A high level of quality care and education is essential to support children’s learning and development. The early year's educator has a pivotal role in the provision of this quality care and education. Through this course, you will learn how to support children’s strengths, interests and abilities, as well as appreciate the role of the family and society in the provision of education and care in their formative years.?

What will I experience?
The aim of this course is to equip graduates with the competencies necessary to become reflective early years care and education practitioners. You will gain an in-depth understanding of child development, early learning theory and practice, and quality standards. You will learn how to critically appraise policies, procedures and principles in the early year's care and education field.

On completion of this course, you will be able to design and deliver relevant curriculum activities, assume responsibility for decision-making, as well as independently conduct primary and secondary research. Our simulated early years setting will provide you with opportunities to practice, plan for them and support children’s interests and abilities. Students undertake 500 hours of placement experience as part of this course.?

What opportunities might it lead to?
The Early Years Care and Education (ECCE) field in Ireland can look forward to an exciting, dynamic and challenging future. It requires well-informed leaders who are competent and confident in terms of education, regulation, policy, advocacy, etc. Graduates can expect to find employment as early years practitioners and pre-school educators responsible for working directly with young children. Other roles include that of team leader responsible for running an ECCE room and possibly after-school. Other roles may include an Early Years Quality Mentor.

As well as developing the core skills of providing education, care and support for young children, this programme develops the capacity to be an effective leader and manager in this rapidly changing sector. ?

Additional Information
National Vetting Bureau

All students on this program will undertake National Vetting Bureau procedures prior to commencing their work placement. Failure to disclose previous convictions may result in students being dismissed from the program. Previous convictions, depending on their nature, could result in student dismissal from the program.

This program is also available on a part-time basis.