Course Summary
The early childhood education and care educator plays a pivotal role in the provision of quality care and education. This course introduces students to the dynamic landscape of early childhood education and care. Policy, legislation and practice are currently undergoing unprecedented change. Students will have opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and values to support the holistic development of children from birth to six years. Engagement with academic and theoretical literature, classroom simulated practice, and practice placement in early childhood education and care settings will enable students to develop as reflective educators with abilities to articulate what young children are learning, how they are learning and the pedagogic approach which underpins their knowledge.
![US926 - Early Childhood Education and Care [Athlone]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bYrjvY-Dq5Q/hqdefault.jpg "US926 - Early Childhood Education and Care [Athlone]")
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Note: It may also be possible to do an Erasmus+ Programme allowing you to study abroad for a
period of at least 2 months to 12 months. This study can be through English or through your
language of choice � please check with your course coordinator to see if this is possible
for this course.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
PLC Progression Links
This course will accept All PLC (QQ/FET) Level 5 or 6 Major Award as an entry requirement.
Click on the link below for a List of PLC Courses Directly Related to this Career Sector
This Information is Correct for 2025 Entry
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found
HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
The Early Years Care and Education (ECCE) field in Ireland can look forward to an exciting, dynamic and challenging future. It requires well informed leaders who are competent and confident in terms of education, regulation, policy, advocacy etc. Graduates can expect to find employment as early childhood educators responsible for working directly with young children. Other roles include that of team leader responsible for running an ECEC room and in management roles.
As a graduate of the programme, you will be eligible to progress to postgraduate programmes such as the MA in Child and Youth Studies at the TUS Athlone Campus. Full details of all postgraduate programmes at TUS are contained in the postgraduate prospectus.
This honours degree provides routes, with additional study and experience into: Primary Teaching, Early Years Inspectorate, Mentoring.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.