Expand+All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Lifelong Learning reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the course.

Ideally applicants should currently be employed i...

Hide-All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Lifelong Learning reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the course.

Ideally applicants should currently be employed in an Early Childhood setting.

NB. Because this course requires 500 hours placement that will bring students into contact with children and vulnerable adults, SETU is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake these courses. SETU uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) vetting service to assess the suitability of all applicants. Therefore, offers on this course are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements.

Expand+What is Early Childhood Education and Care?
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 ...

Hide-What is Early Childhood Education and Care?
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. 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 6 years of age. The importance of play and interactions in supporting learning is emphasised throughout. Students develop a knowledge and understanding of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and Siolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, essential for professional work in this area of practice.

Expand+What subjects will I study?
YEAR 2
Pedagogy & Curriculum
Child Health & Well-Being
The Psychology of Children & Childhood
Philosophy in Early Childhood Education
Outdoor & After School Education & Care
Supervised Professional Practice 1 ...

Hide-What subjects will I study?
YEAR 2
Pedagogy & Curriculum
Child Health & Well-Being
The Psychology of Children & Childhood
Philosophy in Early Childhood Education
Outdoor & After School Education & Care
Supervised Professional Practice 1
Children’s Literature in Early Childhood
Literacy, Numeracy, Science & Technology in Early Childhood
Education & Care

YEAR 3
Working with Families & Communities
Ethics, Equality and Early Childhood Practice
Legal Issues in Child Education
and Care
Leading Contemporary & Quality Practice
Children with Additional Needs
Early Childhood Research Project
Supervised Professional Practice 2

Expand+What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduates of this course 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, particularl...

Hide-What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduates of this course 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, inspectors with the Department of Education and Skills. Graduates have also found employment in International and other overseas schools.

Graduates have gone on to pursue Masters’ qualifications in Speech and Language Therapy, Primary School Teaching, Equality Studies, Legal Studies, Play Therapy, Montessori Education, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Child, Family and Youth Studies, Adult and Community Education and Further Education Studies (leading to registration with the Teaching Council). Graduates are eligible to apply to progress onto the Masters in Leadership in Early Years Education and Care or a Research Masters through SocialCORE at South East Technological University.