Institute of Technology Carlow

Course Details

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education & Care CW748

Course Description

This full-time, three-year Honours degree provides an academic and professional qualification in the care and education of young children. The course focuses on the holistic care and education of young children in a diversity of settings. Graduates of this programme will have the knowledge, competencies and skills to work directly with, or on behalf of young children in a range of early years’ services. The programme consists of the core areas of Early Childhood Education and Care; education and play, child development, social environment, health, hygiene, nutrition and safety, communication and administration management, and personal, professional development. The programme content is chosen and structured to enable participants to become professional, reflective practitioners with an integrated approach in early childhood education and care.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

The programme aims to produce graduates that can think, act, manage and operate at the level of experienced practitioner, as recognised by the Early Childhood Education and Care profession. Graduates of this honours degree will be therefore be trained as specialists and experienced practitioners in early childhood care and education. They may find employment as managers, directors, co-ordinators or leaders in a wide range of early years’ settings. Early years’ settings include pre-schools, crèches, special needs services, family support centres and community services in the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors. Graduates may also pursue careers with Government bodies or public agencies working on behalf of children in policy making, advocacy or inspectorial roles. What follow-on study opportunities are available? This programme affords students the opportunity to pursue a higher degree qualification at Masters or Doctoral level within Early Childhood Studies or related social science and education fields. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates may undertake post-graduate study by research within IT Carlow in Early Childhood Education and Care to Masters level. What exemptions will I receive?




Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education & Care CW748 Institute of Technology Carlow