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 program is eligible for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) for the 2025/26 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. 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.
Course Overview Our honours degree in Early Childhood Education and Practice offers a comprehensive exploration of topics essential for understanding and supporting children from birth to six years of age. You’ll gain expertise in:
Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
These frameworks are the foundation of professional practice in early learning and care, equipping you with the skills to succeed in this rewarding field.
Is This Course Right for You? Are you passionate about nurturing the growth, learning, and wellbeing of young children and their families? Do you want to create engaging and positive learning environments that foster play, creativity, and critical thinking?
If so, this course is your pathway to making a meaningful impact in early childhood education.
The Department of Education and Skills has determined that our degree programme meets the requirements of their Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines for Initial Professional Education Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector in Ireland.
Academic Writing and Enquiry in Higher Education
Introduction to Sociology
Creative Arts Practice in Early Childhood
Introduction to Psychology
Early Childhood Education and Practice
Play-based Pedagogy
Introduction to Children’s Social Policy
Children’s Health, Care and Wellbeing
Child Development
Supervised Professional Practice 2
Language and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Practice
Diversity and Inclusion
School Age Childcare Practice
Creative Arts Practice for School Aged Children
The Psychology and Sociology of Children & Childhoods
Critical Perspectives on Children’s Health and Wellbeing
Regulation and Inspection in Early Childhood Education
STEM Curriculum for Early Childhood and After-school Education
Law for Early Childhood Practice
Advanced Pedagogical Practices
Educational Needs
Supervised Professional Practice 3
All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Lifelong Learning reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the course.
Ideally, applicants should currently be employed in an Early Childhood setting.
NB: Because this course must undertake Supervised Professional Placement that will bring students into contact with children and vulnerable adults, SETU is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake these courses. SETU uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) vetting service to assess the suitability of all applicants. Therefore, offers on this course are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements. In year 1, work based learners must complete a minimum of 120 professional Placement hours in Semester 2. In year 2, work based learners must complete a minimum of 265 hours of supervised professional practice. In year 3, work based learners must complete a minimum of 265 hours of supervised professional practice
Graduates who successfully complete the course will be able to apply for year 4 of the Honours degree.
Graduates will have the knowledge, competencies and skills to work directly with, or on behalf of, babies and young children in a range of early childhood settings, particularly in the ECCE ‘free’ pre-school year funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Professional employment opportunities can include roles as room leaders, managers and leaders in early childhood settings such as: pre-schools; crèches; special needs services; family support centres and community services. Opportunities may include leadership roles in county childhood care committees, specialists with Better Start National Early Years Quality Development, or inspectors with the Department of Education and Skills.
