Early Childhood Education and Practice

What is Early Childhood Education and Practice?
Early Childhood Education and Practice focuses on empowering babies and young children to become confident and capable learners through nurturing relationships. High-quality education during these formative years is critical, with research showing that better educator qualifications lead to higher-quality learning environments and experiences for children.

Our programme is eligible for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) for the 2026/27 academic year. This initiative supports early years educators in pursuing degree-level qualifications while continuing to work in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. The NSLF assists in the financial costs for early year’s educators who wish to pursue ELC qualifications approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) at level 7 and level 8 while continuing to work in a core funded service. At the heart of Nurturing Skills is a vision of: ‘A well-qualified, skilled, diverse and valued professional workforce that is centred on children’s rights, needs and potential and that provides quality experiences for children in partnership with families, and which continues to advance its professional development within a coherent and competent system.’ It aligns with the government’s goal of achieving a graduate-led ELC workforce by 2028. For detailed eligibility criteria and application guidelines, visit gov.ie/NurturingSkillsLearnerFund.

From 10th March, 2026, new applicants should email Pobal, at [email protected] to request a link to the NSLF Student Portal in order to create an account and upload employment details and complete the new application process. Applicants who previously applied for NSLF and were unsuccessful, should make a new application for the academic year 2026/2027 through the NSLF Student Portal. 

Course Overview
This three year ordinary degree at NFQ level 7 is designed for existing practitioners who wish to obtain a recognised qualification in early years education. The programme blends academic theory with extensive hands-on professional experience, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a real difference in the lives of young children, their families, and communities.

Graduates are equipped not just to work in early childhood settings, but to lead them — shaping policy, championing children's rights, and driving quality in the sector.

What You Will Study

The programme is structured across three stages, with modules spanning child development, psychology, sociology, law, creative arts, STEM, pedagogy, and professional practice.

Year 1 — Building Your Foundations You'll explore the history and philosophy of early childhood education, child development theory, introductory psychology and sociology, children's health and wellbeing, and the principles of play-based learning. You'll also develop essential academic writing and research skills from day one.

Modules include: Early Childhood Education and Practice · Child Development · Introduction to Psychology · Introduction to Sociology · Children's Health, Care and Wellbeing · Play-based Pedagogy · Creative Arts Practice in Early Childhood · Introduction to Children's Social Policy · Academic Writing and Enquiry in Higher Education

Year 2 — Deepening Your Knowledge Building on Year 1, you'll explore diversity, equality and inclusion, language and multilingualism, school-age childcare, and the psychology and sociology of childhood. This year also includes a substantial 400-hour supervised professional placement.

Modules include: Supervised Professional Practice 2 · The Psychology and Sociology of Children and Childhoods · Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Early Childhood Practice · Language and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Practice · School-Age Childcare Practice · Creative Arts Practice for School-Aged Children

Year 3 — Advancing Your Practice You'll develop advanced pedagogical skills, study children's law, regulation and inspection systems, educational needs, STEM curriculum, and children's health and wellbeing from a critical perspective. A second 400-hour supervised placement takes place this year.

Modules include: Advanced Pedagogical Practices · Law for Early Childhood Practice · Regulation and Inspection in Early Childhood Education · Educational Needs · STEM Curriculum for Early Childhood and Afterschool Education · Critical Perspectives on Children's Health and Wellbeing · Supervised Professional Practice 3

Professional Practice — Learning on the Job

One of the most distinctive features of this degree is its strong emphasis on real-world professional experience. Over the three years, you will complete:

• SPP1 —  120 hours of Supervised professional practice (Year 1)
• SPP2 — 265-hour supervised placement in an early childhood setting (Year 2)
• SPP3 —  265-hour supervised placement in a diverse practice context (Year 3)

These placements are supported by workshops, peer learning, and reflective portfolio work, ensuring you connect theory directly to practice.

What You Will Graduate With

On completing the programme, you will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of child development, psychology, and sociology to real-world practice
• Implement the national frameworks Aistear and Síolta with confidence
• Design inclusive, play-based learning environments for babies, toddlers, and school-age children
• Understand and work within Irish child law, regulation, and inspection systems
• Support children with diverse educational needs and promote equality and inclusion
• Work collaboratively with families, communities, and co-professionals
• Take a leadership role within an early childhood setting
• Conduct independent research at Level 7 standard
• Engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice

Flexible Pathways and Exit Awards

The programme offers embedded exit awards at each stage, so if your circumstances change, you won't leave empty-handed:

• Year 1 exit — Certificate in Education: Introduction to Early Childhood Studies (Level 6, 60 credits)
• Year 2 exit — Higher Certificate in Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice (Level 6, 120 credits)
• Year 3 exit — Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice (Level 7, 180 credits)

Please note on successful completion of year 3, you can apply to complete your Honours degree with SETU.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a wide range of roles across the early childhood sector and beyond, including:

• Early Childhood Educator or Room Leader
• Childcare Manager or Centre Director
• School-Age Childcare Practitioner
• Special Educational Needs Support
• Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy
• Community and Family Support Work

• Further academic study and research

   

Why Choose This Programme?

• Nationally recognised Level 8 qualification aligned with Irish professional standards
• Extensive placement experience — over 900 hours across the four years
• Broad curriculum covering everything from child law and STEM to creative arts and leadership
• Rooted in Irish frameworks — Aistear, Síolta, First 5, and the UNCRC are embedded throughout
• Flexible exit awards at every stage
• Research skills developed progressively, culminating in an independent thesis

• Strong focus on reflective practice, professional identity, and ethics from Year 1

   

Students who have completed a NFQ level 6 course in Early Childhood Education maybe eligible for advanced entry into year 2 of the programme.

How the Programme is Delivered

This programme is designed with flexibility in mind, recognising that many students are balancing study with work and family commitments.

Years 1 and 2 — Blended Learning In your first two years, the programme is delivered in a blended format. Some weeks you will attend on campus at SETU and on the remaining weeks you will engage with your studies online. This gives you the best of both worlds — the flexibility of online learning combined with valuable face-to-face time to build relationships with your lecturers and classmates that will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Years 3  — Fully Online In your third year, the programme moves to fully online delivery, giving you maximum flexibility as you advance your studies and professional practice.

Please note: Any module that includes an end of module formal examination will require you to attend your campus in person to sit that exam.