Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care

Course description

Why choose this course?
Chevron College recognises that every childhood lasts a lifetime and acknowledges the significant role the Early Childhood Educator plays in shaping early childhood.  Chevron, therefore, aims to ensure that graduates of this programme will emerge as highly qualified professionals who equally value their role, and the role of early childhood education and care.

The diversity of this programme will ensure that Early Childhood Educators are equipped with the competence to navigate the ever-changing landscape of early childhood education and care in Ireland.  It aims to enable Early Years Educators to support the holistic care and development of all children within their practice, with an emphasis on supporting children’s rights, inclusion, diversity and collaborative practice.

Early Childhood Educators will emerge from the programme as highly employable, child-centred professionals and leaders, with the tools to positively impact the lives of young children.  Graduates can work as Early Years Educators, take on leadership and management roles within the sector, and undertake further academic study and research.

Students will be supported through this journey of personal and professional development by a team of highly qualified and experienced Early Childhood Education and Care lecturers and support staff.

How it works
Students can study from home through Chevron’s Virtual Learning Environment and engage with weekly study resources at times that suit their own schedule.

There are fortnightly live webinars to further support students’ learning, which students find extremely beneficial. These are recorded, therefore, if students cannot attend the content is accessible online after the live session.

Following the completion of each module students will have developed and gathered the knowledge, understanding and weekly feedback to enable them to complete their final assessment.

Professional Practice Placement is a requirement at all 4 stages of this programme, with 35% of the programme allocated for placement.
 
Learner supports and help
If students are struggling to understand weekly content they can post a question to the support forum and their lecturer will post a response to their query. Lecturers also have Open Zoom meetings each week so students can pop in to have a chat about module content if they so wish.

The Studies Advisor is available to support students with areas including academic writing, referencing skills and to develop a realistic study schedule for each module.

During Professional Practice Placement students will be supported by both their Chevron Supervisor and Placement Mentor.

Entry requirements
Any QQI Level 5 major award or Leaving certificate qualification or comparable.
If English is not your first language, an IELTS academic exam is mandatory; a score of 6.0 must be achieved.
If you do not hold a QQI Level 5 major award, please contact us to discuss further.

Qualification gained
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 7
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 8

Career opportunities
Graduate career opportunities include working as an Early Years Educator, Room Leader, Early Childhood Supervisor or Manager.  Further career opportunities include roles within community and family work, as an Early Years Specialist or employment in private and public organisations concerned with childhood.  Further opportunities include undertaking further academic study and research.