Undergraduate Programmes

Early Childhood Education / Oideachas Luathaoise Leanaí DT572

Qualification awarded: BA (Early Childhood Education) Level 8 / BA (Oideachas Lauthaoise Leanaí) Leibhéal 8
Duration of programme: 3 years
Type of programme: Honours Degree
Number of places: 40 approx.

What is Early Childhood Education?

The Partnership 2000 Expert Working Group on Childcare defines Early Childhood Education as follows:

... Day care facilities and services for pre-school children and school-going children out of school hours. It includes services offering care, education and socialisation opportunities for children to the benefit of children, parents, employers and the wider community. Thus services such as preschools, naíonraí, day-care services, crèches, playgroups, childminding and after-school groups are included, but schools (primary secondary and special) and residential centres for children are not. (Partnership 2000 Expert Working Group Report, 1999, p. 116)

What are my career opportunities?

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education degree work as practitioners and as managers in an early years setting such as crèches, day nurseries, pre-schools, after-school services, special education services, early start classrooms and family centres. Graduates also work in the area of project development and in management positions in the Health Service Executive, country childcare committees and in voluntary organisations.

What other options do I have after completion?

Graduates of this Level 8 programme will be eligible to Progress to Masters Degrees (Level 9) in a wide range of disciplines across the Social Sciences, e.g. MA in Child, Family and Community Studies, Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching).

Module listing

Year One

Psychology & Child Development: The Early Years
Introduction to Early Education
Professional Practice Issues 1
Child Health: The Early Years
Art in Early Education 1
Drama in Education 1
Supervised Practice Placement 1
Social Theory 1: The Early Years
Research Methods 1

Year Two

Child Development 2: The Early Years
Psychological Adjustment During the Early Years
Early Education Intermediate
ICT in the Early Years
Professional Practice Issues 2
Options: Art in Early Education 2 or Drama in Education 2
Supervised Practice Placement 2
Social Theory & Legal Issues 2
Research Methods 2

Year Three

Assessing & Planning for Early Learning
Perspectives on Early Childhood Education: Issues in Policy, Practice & Research
Working with Families
Child Protection in Early Years Services
Development of Business & Management Skills in Early Years Services
Options: Bilingualism or Outdoor Play
Supervised Practice Placement 3
Research Methods 3
Dissertation

Entry Requirements

Minimum no of		Minimum Grade in
Subjects	Honours	Maths	English/Irish
6	2	OD3	OD3
Other Requirements: All students will be vetted by An Garda Síochána.

Are there study abroad opportunities?

The Department of Social Sciences actively promotes and facilitates students studying abroad as Erasmus scholars.

What our students say!

I started studying in DIT in 2005 and completed my Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education over three years. In First Year my work experience placement was based in a private childcare setting working with pre-school children. I really enjoyed this placement but felt I would love something with a greater challenge.

Third year was definitely a challenge for me in my placement in Barnardos Child and Family Centre. I learned a lot here, as it was hands-on, working with both the children and their families. I really enjoyed this placement. In second year I was on placement, in the Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street where I worked alongside Hospital Play Specialists providing play for sick children and young people in the playroom and on the wards. I absolutely loved this placement and I was lucky enough to get a job here in 2008.

In 2008, I was based in the main playroom working with children and young people from 3 months to 8 years of age providing normal play, diversionary play, preparation play and post procedural play. I am hoping to complete my Professional Diploma in specialised play for sick children and young people in December which I have been studying in Scotland since January 2009. Fortunately, I got the post of Multi-Sensory Co-ordinator/Play Specialist in July 2009. My role involves working with sick children and young people who have additional needs.

I am currently working with children who have sensory impairments and physical restrictions. I love coming to work each day and meeting so many different families and children from all walks of life. As a Hospital Play Specialist I hope to advocate for the need for children to play when they are hospitalised as I have experienced the difference it can make with patients I have been working with.

Further information

School of Social Sciences & Law
T: 01 402 4164 (School Office)
E: socialsciences@dit.ie
W: www.dit.ie/socialscienceslaw