The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education is an applied course to prepare graduates for employment in early childhood services in Ireland. There has been an increasing awareness of the educational and training needs of the growing profession of early childhood practitioners and the Level 7 degree in Early Childhood Care and Education is a response to that need. Theory is delivered in conjunction with work based learning in supervised practice placements over two full semesters, so that students are provided with the necessary practical and managerial skills to work in, set up and/or run a service. This approach is intended to assist students in obtaining the knowledge, values and skills required to generate high standards of practical performance to manage a facility.

Demand for pre-school education has been affected by changes in family structures, a commitment to equal opportunities and the demands of the labour market. Consequently there are increasing demands for qualified graduates in early childhood education in both the private and public sectors and at various levels such as child-care workers/leaders, centre leader/manager, curriculum developer, also community outreach, early intervention specialist and special education.