Early childhood education and practice involves supporting babies and young children to become competent and confident learners through loving relationships with others. Children require high-quality education and care during their formative years. Research indicates that the higher the professional qualification of the educator working with the children, the higher the quality of the setting and the children’s experiences in it.

Early childhood education or early learning and care, is a very rewarding profession that supports the development of young children from infancy and throughout the childhood years. Direct practice involves working with children by tailoring learning experiences to children’s individual needs. Supporting parents in their parenting role is also an essential part of the job.

Indirect practice involves managing services, educating students, professional representation, governance and national policy development. Such wide ranging career opportunities ensures early childhood education is a rewarding and diverse profession.

Early childhood education and care involves supporting babies and young children to become competent and confident learners through loving relationships with others. Children require high-quality education and care during their formative years.

Research indicates that the higher the professional qualification of the educator working with the children, the higher the quality of the setting and the children’s experiences in it.

This course is a four-year programme, which equips graduates with the theoretical, policy, legal and practical knowledge required to work in early years services. Learning is through experiential and self-directed learning activities, as well as through group work and presentations.

The final year research project is supervised by an experienced research team. Placement opportunities in each year of study supports learners to become competent early childhood educators. 

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, practical skills and competence required to pursue a career in the Early Learning and Care sector.

The course will enable learners to acquire the skills, knowledge and competencies to work both independently and as part of a team in an Early Learning setting. Graduates will gain the skills to provide holistic care and learning experiences for children from birth to six years of age. The course is suitable for both school leavers and mature students seeking a formal qualification..

This course provides comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the early years of a child’s life. This course is focused on the holistic development of young children and aims to equip students with the necessary skills to work effectively with children, families, and communities. Students explore key theories, research findings, and practical approaches related to child development, learning, and wellbeing.

This full-time degree will prepare you for a range of leadership roles in the Early Childhood Education and Care. It is a progressive level 8 degree, supporting the development of outstanding early childhood educators.

The overarching aim of this degree is to foster and develop the knowledge, skills, competencies, and values of emerging Early Years Professionals to be independent and professional educators. The programme aims to meet the criteria for initial professional education, forming graduates who have the expertise to nurture and enrich infants' and young children's lives in early years learning and care settings. Combining theory with professional practice, this applied degree supports graduates to become skilled, competent, ethical, and reflective practitioners. 

This qualification focuses on understanding play, child development, and learning within historical and socio-cultural contexts, preparing you for diverse roles in the early childhood sector.

You will explore disciplines like psychology, sociology, education, and health to develop a deep understanding of early childhood development and education.

You will have the opportunity to undertake 150 hours of supervised placement to enhance your academic and practical skills, preparing you for a rewarding career in early childhood settings.

Our Advanced Level 5 Certificate in Early Learning and Care will provide the student with a professional qualification now required to work in the ELC sector. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with children in a variety of settings. Students will gain an insight into how children learn and develop, through class participation and professional practice placement. This award also provides students with the opportunity to progress into higher education and employment.

The course enhances your understanding of young children’s play, development, and learning in various contexts. It incorporates local and international perspectives on children’s rights, health, well-being, and diverse pedagogical approaches.

A key feature is the opportunity for you to choose from a number of elective modules;

• Inclusive Education Practice
• Montessori Education
• Provision of School Age Childcare

This is year 1 of a 2 year programme leading to the Advanced Certificate at Level 6. Learners can progress to the Early Learning and Care Level 6 award (Year 2) if they have achieved the Early Learning and Care Level 5 award (Year 1) or if they have gone through an RPL process.

The Early Learning and Care sector workforce have access to a suite of professional awards from entry level qualifications at Level 5 to honours degree level, that recognise the value of professionals at all these levels working in ELC settings across the country.

The aim of the Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and as part of a team, subject to direction and practice supervision, as a member of the early learning and care community of practice, providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from 0-6 years across a range of early learning and care settings.

This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to transfer and progress into further and higher education and training, and to Stage Two of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.

This one year, full time programme is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to work as a Special Needs Assistant in a variety of educational settings.

Learners will have the opportunity to gain work experience in an Early Years Setting, working and caring for children, aged 0-6 years, with a variety of needs. Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be qualified to work as an SNA in Early Years settings such as creches, pre-schools but also in primary and secondary schools..

This two-year program is designed to prepare students for professional roles and management positions within the rapidly growing childcare and early years sectors. By combining academic study with hands-on work experience, the course develops the essential communication, social, and caregiving skills required to support children in crèche and community settings.

This one-year full time Early Learning and Care programme is offered as Stage 1 of the 2-stage Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care. It offers students the opportunity to work in a variety of Early Years settings for children from babies to six years of age. This would include creches, preschools and Naíonraí. This award also provides students with the opportunity to progress in further and higher education and Training.

This specialized Early Learning and Care (ELC) program focuses on the transformative impact of outdoor learning and nature-based play in early childhood development. It equips educators with the pedagogical tools to facilitate immersive, play-led experiences in natural environments, fostering physical resilience, emotional well-being, and environmental stewardship in young children. It builds the skills to support children's development through inclusive, engaging outdoor experiences.

The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the skills to begin or develop a career in Early Years Supervision and or Management. While the focus of the compulsory programmes are on the Early Care & Education of children, the skills set which will be gained and demonstrated by the learner who completes this Major Award, are an excellent set of skills and directly relevant for any position which requires supervision and Management skills in the ECCE sector.

*Applicants must hold a current QQI Level 5 Major award in Early Childhood Care and Education or Early Learning & Care, along with a valid Children First Certificate.

This two-year Early Learning and Care programme will provide learners with the knowledge skills and competencies associated with the practical, social and legal aspects of the early learning and care profession. As part of the early learning and care programme, learners undertake extensive professional practice placement (150 hours) in at least two early learning and care settings at both stage 1 and stage 2. 

The aim of the Stage 1 of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and as part of a team, subject to direction and practice supervision, as a member of the early learning and care community of practice, providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from 0-6 years across a range of early learning and care settings.

This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to transfer and progress into further and higher education and training, and to Stage Two of the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.

The aim of this one-year full time course is to enable the leaner to acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work independently and as part of a team providing holistic care and learning experiences for children from birth to six years. This award also provides the learner with the opportunity to progress into further and higher education and training.