Waterford Institute of Technology

What is the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education?

The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education is a four year course of study. The course is designed under four important academic foundations namely, theory, practice, research and reflective integration.

Early Childhood Care and Education is aimed at producing professionally qualified graduates who can work in a range of early years’ contexts, working with children up to the age of eight in both care and education settings. The course involves the study of related disciplines of early years’ care, education, psychology, sociology, law and personal and professional development and supervised professional early years, practice placements.

Special Feature of BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education

Students have the opportunity to complete supervised work-based placements, one in semester three, six and eight of the course. These opportunities allow students gain valuable experience and skills in areas of care or education or both.

These placement experiences will facilitate the students’ application of knowledge from the disciplines studied to professional practice. Students will conclude their fourth year with a written thesis which allows them focus on a specific area of interest to them in relation to early years’ care and education.

Note: Garda clearance is required for all students taking this course

Year 1
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

Year 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

Year 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

Year 4
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

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

Other Requirements for BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

Places are offered on the programme subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting clearance.

Career Opportunities

This course aims to facilitate students who wish to pursue professional careers in Early Childhood Studies contexts, and postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines.