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This part-time, evening, postgraduate course is designed to facilitate existing graduates from relevant areas who wish to upskill or convert to early childhood care and education to gain the professional qualification required in Ireland’s contemporary, professionalised, early years sector. The programme is targeted at applicants who are already working in supervised practice.
The overall aim of the Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education is to develop critically reflective, skilled and ethically aware professional Early Childhood Educators. The course will afford graduates from relevant disciplines an opportunity to enhance existing qualifications, and build on existing practical expertise, to obtain a recognised level 8 qualification in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education.
Download Programme Brochure Higher_Diploma_in_Early_Childhood_Studies_Care_and_Education_Updated.pdf
For information on this programme please email [email protected]
Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education
All assessments are continuous assessment. They include essays, presentations, observations of play and reflective learning diaries.
€3,000
A contribution towards the fee may be available to eligible candidates through funding secured by Waterford Chamber Skillnet working in partnership with Waterford Childcare Committee.
All applicants will be required to attend interview for the programme.
Successful applicants will then be required to login/register on the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC system) online by going to www.pac.ie PAC applications require a non-refundable application fee of €50 payable directly to PAC.
The course has three main elements:
Placement, where knowledge and skills acquired in the course are put into practice in a controlled work environment, under the supervision of experienced practitioners and academics; where also reflection on the application of theory to practice will take place
Academic Development, where knowledge of new and emerging developments in the sector, combined with the development of conceptual knowledge and theoretical frameworks takes place
Practice/Skills Development, where the skills necessary to function at a high level within the sector are developed
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Practice Placement: Early Childhood Studies (10 credits) | Practice Placement: Early Childhood Studies (10 credits) |
| Personal & Professional Development: Early Childhood Studies (5 credits) | Managing Early Years Contexts (5 credits) |
| Child Development Psychology (5 credits) | Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood (5 credits) |
| Early Learning & Play (5 credits) | Early Years Curriculum, Quality & Practice (5 credits) |
| Social Research Methods (5 credits) | Independent Study: Early Childhood Studies (5 credits) |
Candidates who do not currently meet these requirements may consider making an application using WIT’s Recognition of Prior Learning process.
On successful completion of this qualification students will have a recognised level 8 qualification in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education. They will be qualified to work as Room Leaders and their work setting will be eligible for a higher capitation grant for the ECCE programme.
Students will have opportunities to work in leading learning in ECCE settings, family and community settings; local development projects; advocacy work for children and families; management; setting up own business; childcare committees; pre-school inspectorate roles; preschool educator; policy work; public and voluntary organisations and special education services.
Students will also have opportunity to progress to further study including: post grad opportunities; primary school teaching; play therapy; therapeutic professions and research and policy.
Main Campus Cork Road, Waterford City, 
