Early Childhood Education
This course will enhance existing provision of courses for preparing early childhood educators. It is recognised by the Qualifications Authority Board (QAB) under the Department of Education (DoE) and the The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY).
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | University of Dublin |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | University of Dublin | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Minimum entry requirements
– No. of Leaving Cert subjects: 6
– Min no. of higher level subjects: 2 (Min Grade H5)
– Min of grade O6/H7 in four other subjects
– Minimum grades: Maths – H7/O6, English – H7/O6, Other Language – H7/06
– Minimum CAO Points Requirement: 315
– English Language Requirement: Please check with admissions@mie.ie
QQI FET Applicants General Information
– Full Level 5 Major award in one of the following areas, with distinctions in at least 5 modules: Art, Craft and Design, Creative Craft, Design, Graphic Design, Administration, Office Administration, Applied Social Studies, Business Studies, Education and Training, Information Processing, Cultural and Heritage Studies, Language and European Studies, General Studies, Early Childhood, Community Care, Community Development, Healthcare Support, Music, Multimedia, Journalism.
Careers / Further progression
What career options do I have?
Graduates typically work in a variety of early childhood education settings. They have an opportunity to become leaders of children’s learning and quality practices in the early years. Graduates can work in a wide variety of organisations and roles throughout the education sector, become entrepreneurs, leaders, or managers in the field of early childhood education. In addition to earlychildhood- specific content, students will learn essential transdisciplinary skills and dispositions in communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
Further information
Advanced entry
– Students who have successfully completed one or more years in a similar full-time course at degree level may apply for advanced entry to the B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education course. Such places are limited and applicants must meet all the minimum requirements of the course and attend an interview. Contact admissions@mie.ie for information
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
The role that educators play in the education and care of young children has a lifelong impact on children as individuals, how they learn and who they become as adults. This course will enhance existing provision of courses for preparing early childhood educators. It is recognised by the Qualifications Authority Board (QAB) under the Department of Education (DoE) and the The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY).
What is the B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education?
The B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education is a four-year level-eight degree programme accredited by Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. The degree prepares students for working in the early years sector as educators, leaders, policy influencers and other roles involving services for children.
What will I study?
Students will study a wide range of modules including child psychology, play, language and literacy, inquirybased learning, early childhood policy, child care and protection and arts in the early years. Learn about early childhood development more broadly including the crucial roles educators play in children’s and families’ lives and the influences on modern education, including Montessori, Froebel and Vygotsky. Learn about the Aistear curriculum framework for early childhood education and the Síolta Quality framework, and take education placements in a variety of early childhood settings.
Field Placement
Participate in several field placements in a variety of early childhood settings gaining valuable hands-on experience. Field placement will begin with a three-week block placement in first year and culminate in a nine-week block placement in fourth year in which students have the opportunity to carry out a research project. There are also opportunities for field placement experiences in policy, special education and other settings.
Year 1
– Psychology and the Developing Child
– Curriculum & Pedagogical Perspectives: Dispositions and Play
– International Policy and Best Practice in Early Childhood Education
– Developing Movement Skills through Activity and Play
– Awakening the Senses: Creativity and the Visual Arts
– A Nurturing Pedagogy: Skills in the Early Years
– Literacies in Early Years: Language Acquisition
– Field Placement 1
– Special Educational Needs 1
– Elective*
Year 2
– Understanding Childhood in Context
– Curriculum & Pedagogical Perspectives: Models of Curriculum & Assessment
– Early Childhood Education: Policy and Practice
– Well-being and Health Education in Early Childhood
– Music, Drama and Integrated Arts
– Inclusion and Diversity in the Early Years
– Early Mathematical Awareness
– Field Placement 2
– Special Educational Needs 2
– Elective*
Year 3
– Constructions of Childhood
– Curriculum & Pedagogical Perspectives: Interactions & Relationships
– Legal Context of Early Childhood Education
– The Inner Landscape of the Child
– Inquiry-Based Learning & Environmental Care
– Inclusion & Culture: Identity and the Self
– Early Literacies
– Field Placement 3
– Research Proposal
– Elective*
Year 4
– Learning through Play 1
– Learning through Play 2
– Organisation Learning and Skills 1
– Organisational Learning and Skills 2
– Field Placement 4
– Research Dissertation
*Electives are chosen from:
– Effective Communication and Partnerships for Education
– Financial Management in Education
– Early Childhood Education through the Medium of Irish
– Leadership: Theory & Practice
– Nutrition and Healthy Eating
– Creative Technologies in Early Childhood Education
– The UNCRC and ECE: A Rights Based Approach to Early Childhood
– Relational Reflexivity for Education
– Holistic Education for Early Childhood Settings
Note: Not all elective options are offered every year