BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies (Full Time)

Through this partnership, we offer students the opportunity to access some of the world’s leading research and thinking in the early years sector. Portobello Institute has mapped the learning outcomes of this honours degree to the learning outcomes of the latest award from Fetac – the Level 6 in Early Years Care and Education.  This award now forms the first year of this degree giving students the opportunity to gain 2 recognised qualifications in 3 years.  Holders of the BA (hons) in Early Childhood Studies award will be eligible to gain the higher capitation grant from the DCYA (Dept. of Children and Youth Studies) for their role in an early childhood centre.

This course is delivered full time over 3 years.  A key feature of this programme is its emphasis on practical knowledge and the development of professional, as well as academic, skills and knowledge.

Course Overview

The focus of the course is the study of play, development and learning in children from birth to six years old in a socio-cultural context and the implications of this for practice in early childhood settings. A range of local and international perspectives are taken including: children’s rights, children’s health and well-being, pedagogical and curriculum approaches, diversity and inclusion. The course therefore draws on a range of disciplines such as psychology, sociology and social policy, education and health. The course emphasises the links between theory and practice and highly values the development of professional as well as academic skills and knowledge.

The course equips you to implement effective practice with children and families in a range of situations and to act as an advocate for their rights and well-being. The course team includes writers and researchers at the forefront of the field who are passionately committed to enabling, empowering and enthusing students to make transformational changes to their own lives and to the lives of children, families and communities.

Qualifications Gained

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies

QQI Level 6 Major Award in Early Childhood Studies Major (6M2007)

Qualifications Frameworks in Ireland and the UK

The Irish and UK qualifications authorities have collaborated on initiatives that promote the transparency, recognition and mobility of qualifications between our respective jurisdictions. The qualifications authorities in the UK and Ireland have agreed the qualifications frameworks in operation, Brexit will not impact this agreement. Further guidance on this framework is available here.

Course Aims and Modules

Develop the professional competence of those who work with young children and their families, meeting local and national workforce development regulations.

Enable students to develop insights and understandings relating to how children and childhood are understood from a range of academic and professional perspectives.

Facilitate the development of early childhood specialists to reflect upon and critically assess their own practice; the legislative and historical framework in which they work and to take a well-informed part in current debates in the field, thereby acting as advocates in the field.

Enable students to recognise their strengths, capabilities and experience as professionals to meet required early childhood care and education professional standards.

Year 1 modules:

Level 6 Major Award in Early Years Care and Education

This major award is made up of the following minor awards;

• Early Learning Environment – 15 credits

• Early Childhood Literacy & Numeracy – 15 credits

• Early Childhood Arts and Culture – 15 credits

• Work Experience – 15 credits

• Child Development – 15 credits

• Early Childhood Curriculum – 15 credits

• Childhood social, Legal & Health Issues – 15 credits

• Personal & Professional Development – 15 credits