COURSE CURRICULUM

The Early Childhood Education and Care BA (Hons) is a practice-led degree that prepares students to work professionally with children from birth to six years through an integrated understanding of care, education, and development. The program combines theory and hands-on learning in areas such as play, language development, psychology, sociology, health, inclusion, and curriculum design, guided by national frameworks like Aistear and Síolta. Students explore key themes including child development, pedagogy, outdoor learning, creative arts, STEAM, literacy, and wellbeing while building reflective and ethical professional practice. Structured professional placements across multiple years allow students to apply learning in real early years settings, progressively developing autonomy, teaching competence, and critical reflection. The course also develops skills in inclusive education, working with families and communities, leadership, management, and supporting children with additional needs. In later years, students engage in advanced topics such as relational pedagogy, therapeutic play, sustainable development, and research methods, culminating in a dissertation and final placement that demonstrate professional readiness. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, communication, and child-centred practice, ensuring graduates understand how children learn and develop holistically. By graduation, students are prepared to work as qualified early childhood educators, capable of designing meaningful learning experiences, supporting diverse needs, and contributing to high-quality early childhood education and care environments in line with national and international standards.