Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Early Childhood Education & Care CW748

Early childhood education and care involves supporting babies and young children to become competent and confident learners through loving relationships with others. Children require high-quality education and care during their formative years. Research indicates that the higher the professional qualification of the educator working with the children, the higher the quality of the setting and the children's experiences in it.

Course Structure

This honours degree in Early Childhood Education and Care enables the student to study a diverse range of subjects in order to gain a deep understanding of babies and children from birth to six years of age. Students develop a knowledge and understanding of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, essential for professional work in this area of practice.

Is this course for you?

Are you interested in supporting the learning, development and well-being of babies and young children and their families? If you would like to learn how to provide a positive and enriching learning environment while promoting children's play, creative and critical thinking skills, then a career in Early Childhood Education and Care might be for you!

Special Features:

Professional work placement is an integral part of the course, supported by preparation and on-going workshops.

Continuous Assessment to include practical activities.

Engagement with the sector through guest lectures.

Cultural and education visits.

Preparation for the workplace and further study in the final year.

Leaving Certificate

2H5 & 4O6/H7

Subjects required

English or Irish O6/H7

Garda vetting required

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Students must provide evidence of having reached the required standard in the English Language in reading, writing and communication. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 to 6 or equivalent completion of studies. Some programmes may require a higher standard e.g. computing. A certified statement of proficiency in English must be provided as a prerequisite to registration as a student of the Institute.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Graduates will have the knowledge, competencies and skills to work directly with, or on behalf of, babies and young children in a range of early childhood settings, particularly in the ECCE free' pre-school year funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Professional employment opportunities can include roles as room leaders, managers and leaders

in early childhood settings such as: pre-schools; crèches; special needs services; family support centres and community services.

Opportunities may include leadership roles in county childhood care committees, specialists with Better Start National Early Years Quality Development or inspectors with the Department of Education and Skills.

• When completing the application form the student/agent should indicate the applicant's chosen course of study at the Institute of Technology Carlow by indicating the appropriate code and full course title.
• Non-First Year applications should also complete the application form, specifying the required year of entry and return to the above address accompanied by all certified transcripts.
• The International Department of the Institute will handle all application requirements and correspondence with the Central Application Office (CAO) of Ireland on behalf of the student. The Central Application Office handles all first year entry to all recognised State Universities in Ireland.
• Students who have satisfied the initial entrance requirements will be issued with a conditional letter of acceptance on the payment of their full first year fee. In the event of the applicant being refused an entry Visa for study purposes, the Institute will refund the fees paid in full on presentation of the official letter of refusal from the Department of Justice.
• Applicants should be aware that the Institute of Technology Carlow, as with all recognised Universities in Ireland, only intakes once per year. The academic year begins in September of each year. Therefore when submitting an application please take into account the time required by the student to obtain a Visa and also to reach the necessary standard of English.