Early Childhood Education & Care
The degree is designed with Early Childhood professionals, and the children they will engage with, in mind. The programme has three exit awards – Higher Certificate in ECEC (level 6), BA Ord in ECEC (level 7), and BA Hons. In ECEC (level 8). At each exit award stage, the programme aims to equip future ECEC professionals with the tools to navigate the ever changing landscape of early childhood education and care in Ireland and internationally, provide learners with the tools and dispositions to provide the best practice and care for the children they engage with, and to enable learners to think critically about their roles as professionals, both locally and globally.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 7 NFQ |
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years
This course is delivered through the following channels…
Blended Online Learning – Live online lectures, 2 evenings per week, enrolling for 18th September 2023
Part-Time – On campus, evening delivery, 2 evenings per week 6.30-9.30pm, enrolling for 18th September 2023 (Dublin City Centre)
Full-Time Classroom – On campus, 3 full days per week, with 2 additional placement days, enrolling for 11th of September 2023
(Our Campus is located in Wicklow House, South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2)
Entry Requirements
Requirements
Application to programmes are open to those learners who meet the minimum entry requirements, namely an ordinary leaving certificate with;
- Grade H5 or above in a higher-level paper in two subjects or more
- A grade O6/H7 in four subjects, which must include Maths and English or Irish. Foundation level mathematics will meet the minimum entry requirement where a grade F2 or higher is achieved.
- QQI applicants must have achieved a full FETAC/QQI Level 5/Level 6 Major Award in ECCE or related discipline where appropriate.
- Other Qualifications would be assessed for equivalency, i.e. using Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA Applicants (other than Irish Leaving Certificate).
Mature applicants are also welcome, to apply but candidates must be 23 years of age or over on the 1st January of the year of entry to their programme of study. Mature candidates with significant related employment field experience may be admitted to the programme if they can demonstrate their potential to meet the learning requirements of the programme and satisfy the respective Admissions Criteria and Admissions Regulations. Required eligibility will be determined by a review of the application, an interview with the admissions tutor (as required), and subject to confirmation with the respective programme leader (also as required). Where admission with advanced standing is considered all applicants may be required to provide written references for their work experience and/or suitable evidence supporting their application. (Applicants may also be formally considered for admission to the programme using the appropriate Regulations and RPL, procedures at each Programme Stage).
An applicant whose first language is not English or who has not been educated wholly or mainly in the medium of English will (a) either be expected to reach, before commencing a programme, a suitable minimum level of competence in English in order to participate fully in the Programme or (b) will be required to participate in pre-sessional or in-sessional English language classes in order to reach a required level of competency.
English language admission requirements either specified by CEG or the accrediting/awarding/professional body, as appropriate, are required to be satisfied before the commencement of study at CEG. Programme Admission Criteria will specify the levels of achievement in written and oral English language. Normally this will include evidence of achievement of the British Council International English Language Testing Score (IELTS) at a score indicated in the programme submission (usually IELTS 6) and/or other recognised equivalent international English language test.
Careers / Further progression
Successful graduates will be well placed to direct and lead learning in a wide range of Early Learning & Care settings, in local and national development and voluntary organisations or other fields relevant to Early Childhood. The programme aims to equip future ELC professionals with the tools to navigate the ever changing landscape of early childhood education and care in Ireland, the tools and dispositions to provide the best practice and care for the children they engage with, and to think critically about their roles as professionals within the communities in which they will work.
Graduate employment demand for pre-school education has been affected by changes in family structures, a commitment to equal opportunities and the demands of the labour market. Consequently, there are increasing demands for qualified graduates in early childhood education in both the private and public sector, examples of which include;
Childcare workers/room leaders,
Early Learning and Care service manager,
Curriculum development
Community outreach worker,
Early intervention specialist
Early Years Education Programme Lecturer
Working with Children with Specific Learning Needs;
Additional potential employment opportunities include working in; Children’s Residential Care Centres; Family and Community Support Centres; After School Services; Youth Services, isability Support, Family Support Worker, Childcare Worker in Refuge etc.
Government strategies have set out a vision for a graduate-led workforce in ECEC and the ECCE Scheme (free preschool years) also offers a higher capitation fee to providers where all leaders are degree qualified. These changes highlight the opportunities for graduates from this programme.
Recently, the Irish Government. has restated their commitment by launching ‘First Five’- a whole of Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families, over the next 10 years (2019-2028). This strategy aims to move progressively towards a graduate led professional workforce.
Further information
Enrolling for September 2023.
Starting week commencing
Full Time - 11th of September 2023.
Blended/ Online / Part time evenings - 18th September 2023.
Blended Learning:
Year 1- €2,250
Year 2 – €2,500
Year 3 – €3,500
Year 4 – €3,800
(Fees revised annually)
Part-Time Pricing:
Year 1- €3,250
Year 2 – €3,250
Year 3 – €3,500
Year 4 – €3,850
(Fees revised annually)
Full-Time Pricing:
Irish/EU Residents – €4,250 Per year
Non EU Overseas – €6,300 Year one, €4,250 per year thereafter
Learners will be required to complete the four-year, 240 credit award, a large aspect of which involves experiential learning in the work place and on successful completion of the programme will achieve a BA in Early Childhood Education and Care (Hons) Level 8 award.
The exit award options are suitable for learners who unexpectedly are unable to continue to the final stage of the principle programme and wish to exit with a recognised award/qualification.
The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care is designed to meet the needs of learners wishing to enter the early years workforce, or for those, already working in the sector, to upskill to an Early Childhood Education & Care degree qualification. The programme will cater to a variety of adult learners, ranging from school leavers with no previous experience in the Early Years sector to more mature adults with relevant life and/or work experience.
The programme offers the learner the opportunity to gain the necessary skills and theoretical framework from which to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of the role and work of an Early Childhood professional. The programme design combines a core of foundational, educational and personal development modules as well as the opportunity to engage in specific areas of specialism. Each module in its own right examines and explores the unique characteristics of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. The programme aims to produce reflective practitioners who place children’s concerns at the core of their practice. They assume a facilitative role with their adopted theories and specialist knowledge. The overarching objective of this programme is the development of the professional educators of the future.
Years 1 & 2 – Introduces the learner to the key concepts and theories involved in Early Childhood Education and Care while simultaneously equipping them with the skills and competencies to lead a room in an early childhood education and care setting. On completion of the Higher Certificate in ECEC the learner will be able to assess the holistic needs of the children in their care and create developmentally appropriate plans to further the child’s learning and care, as well as interacting appropriately with various stakeholders. On completion of this award, students are eligible to apply to progress onto the BA in Early Childhood Education and Care (Ord).
Year 3 – Will equip the learner with specialized knowledge to lead and manage in the field of early childhood education and care. Learners will be enabled to critically analyse and critique existing bodies of knowledge and build on them with new knowledge. They will make connections between various modules and theories, concepts, and discourses enabling them to create emergent individual and whole group curriculum plans, design Individual Education Plans (IEPs), utilize inspection tools & the Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA) forms, reflect on their own professional practice, lead, and work within a team of professionals. As leaders in their services, they will also be equipped with the skills to professionally advocate for themselves, their colleagues, and the children and families they work in partnership with. On completion of this award, students are eligible to apply to progress onto the BA in Early Childhood Education and Care (Hons).
Year 4 – Enables learners to develop a deeper knowledge of ECEC discourses, theories, concepts, and practices whilst simultaneously mastering the skills needed to conduct an individual research project at the cutting edge of social science. The learner will also be enabled to specialize in one of several areas: Special Educational Needs, Equality & Diversity, Training & Mentoring, Birth to Three Pedagogy, and Arts & Creativity. Through communities of practice the learners will advance their already existing skills of learning, reflecting, and sharing practice and funds of knowledge and will have the opportunity to lead a community of practice of their own making. This programme will equip learner with the skills necessary to lead an Early Learning and Care service, create policy and specialised practice, and to mentor, support and facilitate fellow colleagues within a team who seek advice in their area of specialism.
*Please note that elective specialist subjects will run subject to sufficient student demand in any given term.
Year 1 Modules
Placement
Introduction to ECEC in Ireland
Academic Skills
Introduction to Child Psychology
Introduction to Child Development
Educational Philosophy
Approaches, Methods & Curricula
Inclusion, Equality & Diversity in ECEC
Holistic Development Birth to Three Years
Sociology of Childhood
Global Childhoods
Year 2 Modules
Placement
Leadership & Legislation
Advanced Child Psychology & Development
Transitions & Transitional Practice
Children’s Rights & Voice in ECEC
Holistic Development Three to Six Years
Professional Development
Stakeholder & Advocacy in ECEC
Art & Creativity in ECEC
ELC Environments
Year 3 Modules
Placement
Advanced Art & Creativity in ECEC
Assessment, Observation & Planning
Advanced Approaches, Methods & Curricula
Policy Development in ECEC
Professional Skills
Research Methods
Year 4 Modules
Placement
Curriculum Development
Writing for Research
Discourse Analysis in ECEC
ITC Research Skills
Research & dissertation
SEN Specialism
Equality & Diversity Specialism
Training & Mentoring Specialism
Birth to Three Years
Pedagogue Specialism
Creative Arts Specialism
Work Placement
The curriculum of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care is one which is heavily focused on practice placement
This module is the spine or central module in the degree programme.
All other modules will incorporate exercises, assessments, and reflections from their module into the placement module. Likewise, the placement module will incorporate all the learning from other modules into an ethical, rights-based practice.
Before entering their placement, learners will be required to take the Children First e-learning module developed and designed by Tusla the Child and Family Agency will be taken as part of the course in self-directed learning hours while they wait for their Garda Vetting to process.
300 hours in total over one Academic year will be spent in two early childhood education and care settings, divided as follows:
One setting will be used as an anchor setting where the learner will spend 260 hours.
The second setting should be a setting which is distinctly different from the first (to be agreed by the placement supervisor) and 40 hours must be spent there by the student
Smart Assessment:
This degree is designed in such a way as to maximise critical thinking and create an understanding of the interrelatedness of theory, practice, and information that informs early childhood professionals in their day-to-day practice. It is also designed to allow the learner access to as much information as possible but without overloading them with coursework. The smart assessment model allows for one piece of submitted work to be assessed twice for two different modules.
Areas of chosen specialism are offered in tandem with practice and research in stage three to encourage a continuation of research in this area during the learner’s future career. It is envisaged that this programme would produce professionals that are responsible for separate specialist areas in a service who can advise their team of colleagues or the communities of practice as and when needed, similar to the Ateliarista in Reggio Emilia. The specialist areas are focused in placement and the research project enabling the learner to master a specific area within their specialism which they have a particular interest.
The curriculum was also structured to include global conversations and examine and critique global practices. This was purposefully chosen because Early Childhood Education and Care is a global phenomenon that happens to look very different in practice depending on where in the globe you practice, and what the cultural, societal, economic, and environmental factors are in place.
Qualifications:
Level 8 BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care.
The programme has three exit awards – Higher Certificate in ECEC (level 6), BA Ord in ECEC (level 7), and BA Hons. In ECEC (level 8).
Blended Learning, by its very nature, requires learners to engage in self-directed learning. Learners will set their own learning goals with the support of the tutor and will have the advantage of having more responsibility for their learning than in a classroom setting.
t: (01) 4884300
e: info@progressivecollege.ie