Early Childhood Education and Care – BA (Hons)

CAO Points: 298
Campus: Moylish, Limerick City
years: 4

Course Code US927
Level 8
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Sport & Early Childhood Studies

Course Overview

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) reflects a holistic view of the education (e.g. early stimulation, education, developmental activities) and care (e.g. health, nutrition, hygiene, safety and security, responsive caregiving) of young children from 0 to 6 years of age. Therefore, this course is designed to equip graduates with the essential core knowledge, practices and values to fulfil the role of a professional early childhood educator.

The course is practical and applied, supporting graduates to become professional, reflective educators with an integrated approach to ECEC. Students will acquire skills in relevant areas, such as learning through play and creativity, children’s development through art, literature and music, as well as psychology, sociology and social policy. A supervised work placement in years 2 and 3 in various early years settings enables students to apply their theoretical knowledge and learn from practice, which are key elements of the course.

The course design and content have been guided by this sector’s policy and regulatory frameworks, such as Aistear, Síólta, First 5 and the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines. It is an innovative practiceled course where students learn how to combine theory and practice and develop as reflective practitioners. An active learning environment is achieved through lectures, seminars, workshops and enquiry-based learning with children’s learning materials.

Professional Accreditation
In 2022 this degree completed programmic review and continues to be officially recognised as meeting the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines for Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector in Ireland. TUS is currently list under the QAB Approved List of courses

Contact Details

Ashling Sheehan Boyle

Email: Ashling.SheehanBoyle@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Foundation Level Mathematics at grade F2 or higher is acceptable as meeting the Mathematics requirement for this programme.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

ECEC Frameworks
Introduction to Play
Creative Learning
Introduction to the Sociology of Childhood
Language Development in the Early Years
Child Care
Health and Wellbeing

Year 1 – Semester 2

Psychology of Child Development 1
Foundations of Teaching and Learning
Learning through Physical Activity
Professional Practice and Preparation 1
Learning through Art and Music
Outdoor Learning

Year 2 – Semester 1

Professional Practice Education Placement 1 (15 weeks/400 hours)

Year 2 – Semester 2

STEAM in ECE
Learning through Drama & Story Telling
Creating Inclusive Environments
Transitions in the Early Years
School Age provision
Health Nutrition and Wellbeing

Year 3 – Semester 1

Teaching and Learning through Play
Language and Literacy in the Early Years
Supporting Children with Additional Needs
Positive Behaviour Strategies
The Reflective Educator
Legal Frameworks and Governance for Early Childhood Practice

Year 3 – Semester 2

Professional Practice Education Placement 2 (15 weeks/400 hours)

Year 4 – Semester 1

Contemporary Curriculum Planning
Child, Family and Community
Management in Early Years Settings
Early Years Educator and Wellbeing
Therapeutic Play
Research Dissertation (year-long)

Year 4 – Semester 2

Relational Pedagogy
Psychology of Child Development 2
Professional Leadership and Early Years Practice
Sustainable Development in Early Childhood

What can you do after this programme?

Career Opportunities

Graduates can avail of various employment opportunities, such as a variety of roles within Early Years Education and Care and School Age organisations .e.g. Pre- school , full day services

Students can work in both the public private community and voluntary sectors. Many of past graduates have are working with organisations such as Barnardo’s , Special Needs Assistants within a Primary and special schools , AIM ( Access and Inclusion staff in Early Years Education and Care settings)

Students can progress to working as Manager or potentially own and develop their own business.

Other roles that may be of interest -Development Officer in Childcare Committees, Inspectors with TUSLA and Department of Education and Skills, Early Years Specialists with Better Start.

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere. Graduates have also academically progressed through postgraduate studies in early years education and care , STEM in early years, equality studies, child and family legal studies, child and family community studies, applied behaviour analysis, and adult and community education. Students may also be interested to progressing to Early Intervention and Inclusive Practice for Children – MA – TUS.