Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care

Faculty of Business and Humanities
Award Class
Awards
BA
Programme Code CR_HECEC_7 Mode of Delivery Full Time, ACCS No. of Semesters 6
NFQ Level 7 Embedded Award No Programme Credits 180
Next Review Date
Review Type Date
Programmatic Review 01/09/2021
Department SPORT, LEISURE & CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Field of Study 7610 - Childcare
 

Programme Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme the graduate will be able to demonstrate... :

# PO Domains Programme Learning Outcome
PO1 Knowledge - Breadth • in-depth understanding and practical application of inclusive practices relating to equality and diversity, additional needs, disability and EAL (English as an additional language) • a clear knowledge of a child’s growth, development, health and nutrition from birth to six years • an experienced comprehension of personal and professional development moving from fundamental to advanced practices • an understanding of children’s rights and pertinent aspects of Early Childhood law; regulations; and policy • proficient skills in creative and critical thinking; process led arts; learning through the arts and arts in the emergent curriculum • the important role of play in a child’s learning and development particularly from birth to three years • a specialised knowledge of curriculum and assessment; literacy and numeracy; outdoor learning; and ICT in ECEC from birth to six years • the ability to discuss sociological aspects and themes as they relate to childhood, family, community and relevant social policy • a confident comprehension of developmental and educational psychology • the ability to design, implement and evaluate physical activity and movement plans; from general theory and practice to specialised adapted physical activity • a proficiency in management; leadership; advocacy and facilitation in ECEC from theory to practice. • a capacity to appraise key issues involved in enterprise creation; business and financial planning; and administration • the skills to conduct research and compile a research dissertation • a professional knowledge of national and international pedagogical approaches that guide Early Childhood Education and Care practice
PO2 Knowledge - Kind • an ability to discuss and evaluate current theory and pedagogical practice in ECEC, and an ability to integrate concepts across a variety of areas • a capacity to link professional theory, skills and personal development toward becoming a reflective, skilled childcare practitioner • the knowledge and skill to design, implement and evaluate inclusion, equality and diversity practices that positively support children with a range of abilities and additional needs across a variety of child care settings • a detailed knowledge of the role of a child care practitioner and a capacity to understand and practically apply managerial; advocacy and leadership principles in ECEC • a capability to utilize policy concepts already learned and extend his/her depth of understanding to appreciate the nature and extent of change on both the personal and social levels • keen awareness and ability to create an environment that promotes critical thinking; exploration and comprehensive health and well-being • the capacity to examine professional practice, analyse the component skills involved and experience these in practice • an ability to objectively construe phenomena from a more conceptual rather than a purely applied stance.
PO3 Skill - Range • an analytical engagement with practice frameworks; curriculum design; differentiated learning and assessment • an ability to understand the nature of practicing within a variety of ECEC settings • a strong theoretical and practical knowledge to inform practice when working with children with additional needs or disabilities, for example, inclusion and equality strategies; social stories; adapted physical activity; PECS/LAMH, assistive technology and EAL • ability to listen, track and explore narratives and be able to express difference and agreement in ways that can be processed by others • a knowledge of sociological and psychological theory and its applications • ability and confidence to use provocations and apply practical; creative and problem-solving skills • capacity to devise and evaluate a range of health promoting strategies for use in a childcare setting • expertise to foster and promote partnership with parent/s and relevant supporting agencies
PO4 Skill - Selectivity • necessary ICT communication and record keeping skills required in day-today practice • ability to apply supervision frameworks to a variety of childcare settings • accountability and performance evaluation of their own work • able to respond to situations as they arise within a childcare setting while taking cognisance of policy and regulations • capacity to identify and undertake, within a critically reflective process, personal and sectoral development actions in keeping with national and international best practice • an understanding of skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research project
PO5 Competence - Context • a capability to create an environment of inclusion for all children • a capacity to facilitate small as well as whole groups • an ability to critically assess current childcare practices and policies and their implications • adherence to professional and ethical codes of conduct and communication • understanding of business theory and good practice to the design and delivery of programmes in ECEC • an aptitude to apply taught concepts, theoretical perspectives, legislation and skills across a variety of childcare populations • ability to assess own competence and set new goals
PO6 Competence - Role • ability to work autonomously • understanding of how to supervise staff in childcare settings in accordance with good practice and lead a peer group session • capacity to extend proficiency in using a variety of delivery methods to facilitate differentiated and inclusive learning • aptitude to conduct research activities and reports in the context of practice and policy in ECEC • capacity to take a leadership role with children and a team member role with co-workers and be fully aware of the variety of skills involved in each • able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary context • awareness of ethical practice and professional integrity and identity
PO7 Competence - Learning to Learn • ability to ascertain gaps in knowledge and skill and an awareness of the need to engage in on-going, professional development relating to all aspects of practice be it synchronous; asynchronous or blended learning • a readiness to cultivate both self-directed and collective learning and contribute to the sector in a collaborative peer-based process • greater ability to appraise critically; ability to give and receive constructive feedback and to use initiative • capacity to keep abreast of emerging technology and incorporate ICT and assistive technology into ECEC practice where applicable • capacity to embrace a range of opportunities that improve one’s practice and facilitate structured reflection
PO8 Competence - Insight • ability to compare, contrast and apply different theoretical perspectives to psychological and sociocultural phenomena in the context of becoming a leader and advocating on behalf of the child • the ability to explore the dynamics of collaboration in the working environment • capacity to create and consolidate working relationships with parent/s and relevant supporting agencies in the community and multidisciplinary field • that s/he has become a reflective and holistic practitioner who is able to augment and expand their learning to inform practice • empathy and solidarity with child groups • insight into practical measures that can be taken to promote one’s own and children’s welfare • capacity to use research and reporting skills to undertake significant research activities which will contribute to the development of policy and practice in the sector
 

Semester Schedules

Year 1 / Semester 1

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
EDUC6012 Creative & Critical Thinking Cian O'Neill 1 5
EDUC6013 Child Growth & Development Cian O'Neill 3 5
CMOD6001 Creativity Innovation&Teamwork MARESE BERMINGHAM 3 5
EDUC6009 Inclusion:Equality & Diversity Cian O'Neill 3 5
CHLD6001 Physical Activity and Movement Cian O'Neill 4 5
EDUC6014 Playful Learning: Birth to 3 Cian O'Neill 3 5

Year 1 / Semester 2

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
EDUC6011 Curriculum & Assessment Cian O'Neill 2 5
PSYC6015 Developmental Psychology ECEC Cian O'Neill 2 5
EDUC6016 Pers & Prof Dev: Fundamental Cian O'Neill 4 5
DESI6030 Process-Led Arts Cian O'Neill 3 10
SOCI6020 Sociology: A Child in Context Cian O'Neill 4 5
 

Year 2 / Semester 1

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
PLAC7018 Placement: Following the Child Cian O'Neill 1 30

Year 2 / Semester 2

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
CHLD 7010 Child Health and Nutrition Cian O'Neill 2 5
LEGS6005 Early Childhood Law Cian O'Neill 4 5
EDUC7014 Inclusion: Additional Needs Cian O'Neill 3 5
CHLD7008 Learning through the Arts Cian O'Neill 3 10
EDUC7015 Pers & Prof Dev: Intermediate Cian O'Neill 4 5
 

Year 3 / Semester 1

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
PSYC7007 Educational Psychology in ECEC Cian O'Neill 3 5
EDUC7013 ICT & Learning in ECEC Cian O'Neill 3 5
CHLD7009 Literacy & Numeracy in ECEC Cian O'Neill 2 5
CHLD7007 Outdoor Learning in ECEC Cian O'Neill 3 5
EDUC8046 Pers & Prof Dev: Advanced Cian O'Neill 2 5
Elective 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
LEGS6009 Enforcement of Child Law Cian O'Neill 3 5
FREE6001 Free Choice Module PAUL GALLAGHER 3 5
EDUC7001 Holistic Health Cian O'Neill 4 5

Year 3 / Semester 2

Mandatory 
Code Title Module Coordinator Version Credits
CHLD8004 Management in ECEC (0-12yrs) Cian O'Neill 2 10
PLAC8011 Placement: Advanced Practice Cian O'Neill 1 20