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The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education is a four year course of study. The course is designed under four important academic pillars namely, theory, practice, research and reflective practice.
This course produces professionally qualified graduates who work effectively in a wide range of early years’ contexts, with children up to the age of eight years. The course involves the study of core, interrelated disciplines including early years’ education,, psychology, sociology, law and personal and professional development and supervised professional practice placements which are essential to effective working in ECCE settings
Students have the opportunity to complete supervised work-based placements; in semesters three, six and eight of the programme . These supervised placements enable students to gain invaluable practice experience and skills, facilitating deep engagement with the concepts of care and education, and ‘hands on’ experience of working for young children, parents and practitioners. These placement experiences further facilitate the students’ learning and application of knowledge from the disciplines studied to specific areas of professional practice. Students conclude their final year with a research dissertation connected to early years theory and practice which allows them focus on a specific area of interest to them.
Note: Garda clearance is required for all students taking this course
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking and Academic Skills | Child Developmental Psychology 1 |
| Early Years Pedagogies Children as Learners | Children and Social Interaction |
| History of Care in Irish Social Policy | Early Years Education: Methods and Practice |
| Introduction to Psychology | Introduction to Research |
| Introduction to Sociological Problems | Irish Family Policy |
| Personal and Professional Development: Early Childhood Studies 1 | Personal and Professional Development: Early Childhood Studies 2 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Practice Placement: Early Childhood Studies 1 | Child Development Psychology 2 |
| Understanding Gender | |
| Irish Early Childhood Education Policies | |
| Introduction to Irish Law | |
| Early Childhood Assessment | |
| Personal and Professional Development: Early Childhood Studies 3 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Early Years Curriculum, Quality and Practice | Practice Placement: Early Childhood Studies 2 |
| Early Learning and Play | |
| Children's Rights, Citizenship and Social Policy | |
| Personal and Professional Development: Early Childhood Studies 4 | |
| Comparative Early Years Education and Care | |
| Children with Additional Needs |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Direct Work with Children, Parents and Staff | Practice Placement: Early Childhood Studies 3 |
| Children and the Law | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Child Health and Wellbeing | |
| Managing Early Years Contexts | |
| Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood |
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Places are offered on the programme subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting clearance.
This course facilitates students who wish to pursue professional careers in ECCE contexts, postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines. Graduates of our programme can work within the following settings:
Graduates may proceed to postgraduate study, either research or taught, at SETU Waterford or other third-level Colleges/universities. This includes areas such as management and leadership in ECCE, M.Ed. degrees, and educational studies programmes. Many of our graduates have also pursued follow-on training in primary school education.
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SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
