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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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Code
SE92J
Delivery
Flexible
Level
8
Campus
Cork Road
Duration
1 year
Credits
60 ECTS
Next Intake
September 2024
Application Status
Opening 2024
Fees
View Details
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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

Express your  interest by sending an e-mail  at [email protected] 

Delivery

The course is delivered in blended mode. Classes are from 6-10 on Tuesday and Thursday online. Online lectures are live and are not recorded. Students are required to attend onsite for both days in Week 1, 6 and 10. 

Qualification

Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Studies,  Care and Education

Assessment

All assessments are continuous assessment.  They include essays, presentations, observations of play and reflective learning diaries.

Cost  

The fee is €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.

How to apply

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. For further details please contact at [email protected]

Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education Course Structure

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

Year 1
Semester 1Semester 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)

The programme is designed for:

  • Applicants with an existing level 7 major award in Early Childhood Studies, or equivalent, and with at least two years of relevant work experience who wish to progress to progress to level 8;
  • Applicants with an existing major award at level 8 degree in a cognate area who wish to convert to a career in early childhood care and education. Cognate degrees are defined as level 8 degrees in which Psychology, Sociology or Early Years Education was a major component.

Candidates who do not currently meet these requirements may consider making an application using the Recognition of Prior Learning process. 

Please find  RPL Form

RPL for admission information is  available at www.wit.ie/rpl/ and the full policy is available as Chapter 3 of the Academic Regulations at www.wit.ie/policies

Teaching Council Registration: This programme is designed to facilitate existing graduates from relevant areas to gain the professional qualification required to work in Ireland’s contemporary, professionalised, early years sector. It is not purpose designed as part of a pathway towards registration as a Teacher in Further Education with the Teaching Council (TC) 

https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/registration/how-do-i-register-/qualifications/further-education-teachers-qualified-in-ireland/

Advice on gaining registration with the TC is available from the TC. Advice is also available from the free Adult Education Guidance Services countrywide 

 https://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=60

 

 

There are a wide range of pathways available to graduates. 
Progression routes for part-time students are similar to those followed by full-time students, although many of the part-time learners are already employed throughout  various social care settings. This course provides an opportunity for participants to further develop their knowledge and skills in key areas of professional practice. It equips them with skills and knowledge required for management positions and with research  knowledge and skills required for research and/or taught postgraduate studies. A number of graduates of the part-time degree also progressed to set up their own businesses using innovative models of care. Their work practices reflect a blending of their life experiences, both personal and professional, and the knowledge gained whilst completing their award. 
 

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Contact

Course Leader
Jacqui
Course Administrator:
[email protected]
Jacqui Quinn
Jacqui Quinn
[email protected]

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