Early Childhood Education

You may be in contact with food / food products during course placement. For further information please contact the School Office (contact details below)

TU Dublin (formerly DIT) is the longest established provider of Early Childhood Education in Ireland. Our first course commenced in 1977, when we offered a  one year certificate course to pre-school workers in the Eastern Health Board.  The certificate course was extended to two years in 1985 followed by the  introduction of a two year part-time Diploma course in 1993. The BA in ECCE  was introduced in September 1999. In September 2005, First Year intake on a new 3-year BA (Hons.) took place.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) generally refers to education before the start of primary school attendance (0-6 years in Ireland). Services include pre-schools, Naأ­onraأ­, specific intervention centres such as community support preschools, Barnardo's childcare services, Focus Ireland support services, crأ¨ches, child-minding and after-school groups.

The early years are well recognised by legislators, policymakers, educationalists and researchers as a critical period in children's learning and development.

The ECE professional needs to understand many facets of the child's learning and development and the role of early education and care in promoting the best outcomes for children.

There is a work placement of 100 hours in Year 1, 300 hours in Year 2 and Year 3; and 100 hours in Year 4. The full module listing for the course is listed below.

Study Abroad Opportunities
You can apply to take part in an Erasmus exchange in the Year 2.

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.

Graduates work as practitioners and managers in early years settings such as crأ¨ches, day nurseries, preschools, after-school services, special education services, early-start classrooms and family centres, as well as in project development and management positions in the Health Service Executive, county childcare committees and public and voluntary organisations.

• Childcare Management
• Child & Family Support Worker.
• Working with children who have additional needs.
• Childcare Supervisor – Housing Association
• Course Co-Ordinator – QQI Levels 5 & 6 Childcare.
• City/ County Childcare Committee.
• School Completion Officer
• Tusla and Early Years inspector.
• Community Work
• Research
• Policy Development
• NGO's and statutory organisations