Key information for Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice

Code: SE935 | Level: 7 | Duration: 3 Years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 180

Application Information for Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

International Applicants information for Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice?

Year 1 Modules: Creative Arts Practice in Early Childhood (M), Early Childhood Education and Practice (M), Introduction to Psychology (M), Academic Writing and Enquiry in Higher Education (M), Introduction to Sociology (M), Children's Health, Care and Wellbeing (M), Play-based Pedagogy (M), Child Development (M), Supervised Professional Practice 1 (M), Introduction to Children's Social Policy (M) | Year 2 Modules: Supervised Professional Practice 2 (M), Creative Arts Practice for School-Aged Children (M), The Psychology and Sociology of Children and Childhoods (M), Diversity, Equality Inclusion in Early Childhood Practice (M), Language and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Practice (M), School Age Childcare Practice (M) | Year 3 Modules: Critical Perspectives on Children's Health and Wellbeing (M), STEM Curriculum for Early Childhood and After School Education (M), Regulation and Inspection in Early Childhood Education (M), Law for Early Childhood Practice (M), Advanced Pedagogical Practices (M), Educational Needs (M), Supervised Professional Practice 3 (M)

SE935 Carlow

Bachelor of Education

Early Childhood Education and Practice

Q: Location for Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice

Location: Carlow | Campus: Kilkenny Road

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Programme Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care is a Level 7 professional degree designed to prepare qualified educators to support the learning, development, and well-being of babies and young children from birth to six years of age. Grounded in research showing that higher staff qualifications directly elevate the quality of early childhood settings, the programme trains students to build nurturing relationships, foster play and critical thinking, and collaborate closely with families during a child's most critical early years.

Practical Learning & National Frameworks

Professional work placement is an integral part of the curriculum, supported by structured preparation and ongoing reflective workshops to connect academic theory directly with hands-on practice. The programme fully satisfies the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines established by the Department of Education for Initial Professional Education Degree Programmes in Ireland's Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. Students gain practical mastery of core national frameworks:

Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.
Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.

Coursework

The curriculum explores a diverse range of subjects focused on holistic child development, early learning pedagogy, and quality assurance:

Early Pedagogy & Play: Designing, facilitating, and assessing play-based learning environments that encourage creative and critical thinking skills.
Child Development & Well-being: Studying physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development from birth to six years of age.
Family Engagement & Inclusivity: Fostering positive relationships with families and creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.
Professional Standards & Practice: Applying national ELC quality criteria, regulatory compliance, and professional code of ethics.

Career Opportunities

Graduates hold a Level 7 recognized initial professional award for the Early Learning and Care sector, opening pathways to key practice roles alongside clear academic progression to Level 8 honours add-on degrees:

Lead Early Learning & Care Educator
Early Years Room Leader & Practice Assistant
Community Early Years Officer & Family Support Assistant
Progression to Level 8 Honours Add-on Programmes & Specialized Studies

Upon completion of the Level 7 degree, graduates are fully qualified to deliver high-quality early childhood care and education in professional settings or seamlessly advance into a Level 8 honours degree.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Creative Arts Practice in Early Childhood (M)	Children's Health, Care and Wellbeing (M)
Early Childhood Education and Practice (M)	Play-based Pedagogy (M)
Introduction to Psychology (M)	Child Development (M)
Academic Writing and Enquiry in Higher Education (M)	Supervised Professional Practice 1 (M)
Introduction to Sociology (M)	Introduction to Children's Social Policy (M)

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Supervised Professional Practice 2 (M)	Creative Arts Practice for School-Aged Children (M)
	The Psychology and Sociology of Children and Childhoods (M)
	Diversity, Equality Inclusion in Early Childhood Practice (M)
	Language and Multilingualism in Early Childhood Practice (M)
	School Age Childcare Practice (M)

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Critical Perspectives on Children's Health and Wellbeing (M)	Supervised Professional Practice 3 (M)
STEM Curriculum for Early Childhood and After School Education (M)
Regulation and Inspection in Early Childhood Education (M)
Law for Early Childhood Practice (M)
Advanced Pedagogical Practices (M)
Educational Needs (M)

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

What are the minimum entry requirements?

5 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Garda vetting required

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates are eligible to progress to Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice (NFQ Level 8) year 4.

What exemptions will I receive?

Notes

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

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.