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 programme.

Ideally applicants should currently be employed in a...

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 programme.

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

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 Therefore, offers on this programme are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements.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

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 1
Mandatory Subjects
Early Childhood Education
Caring for the Developing Child
Professional Development for Early
Childhood Education and Care
Communications and Study Skills
Introduction to Psychology
Introd...

Hide-What subjects will I study?
Year 1
Mandatory Subjects
Early Childhood Education
Caring for the Developing Child
Professional Development for Early
Childhood Education and Care
Communications and Study Skills
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology and Social Policy
Visual Arts in Early Childhood

Year 2
Mandatory Subjects
Pedagogy and Curriculum
Child Health and Well Being
Outdoor and After School Education and Care
The Psychology of Children and Childhood
Children’s Literature in Early Childhood
Philosophy in EC Education
Supervised Professional Practice 1
Literacy, Numeracy, Science and Technology in Early Childhood Education and Care

Year 3
Mandatory Subjects
Children with Additional Needs
Ethics and Practice
Early Childhood Research Project
Leading Contemporary and Quality Practice
Working with Families and Communities
Legal Issues in Child Education and Care
Supervised Professional Practice 2

Expand+What will I be able to do when I finish the programme?
Graduates of this programme 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 programme?
Graduates of this programme 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 Institute of Technology Carlow.

Expand+Lifelong Learning Centre
Institute of Technology Carlow,
Kilkenny Road,
Carlow.
Tel: 059 9175280
Fax: 059 9175005
Email: lll@itcarlow.ie
Web: www.itcarlow.ie/lll

Faculty for Lifelong Learning
Wicklow County Campus
Clermont House
Rathnew...

Hide-Lifelong Learning Centre
Institute of Technology Carlow,
Kilkenny Road,
Carlow.
Tel: 059 9175280
Fax: 059 9175005
Email: lll@itcarlow.ie
Web: www.itcarlow.ie/lll

Faculty for Lifelong Learning
Wicklow County Campus
Clermont House
Rathnew, County Wicklow
Tel: 0404 67125
Email: wicklow@itcarlow.ie
Web: www.itcarlow.ie/Wicklow

Lifelong Learning Centre,
Wexford Campus,
Summerhill Road,
Wexford.
Tel: 053 918 5809 (LLL Centre)
Tel: 053 918 5800 (Reception)
Fax: 053 918 5801
Email: wexford@ itcarlow.ie