This four-year Level 8 course provides students with a professional qualification in Early Childhood Studies. This course will nurture student’s personal, social and professional development with a view to developing a highly competent professional educator committed to providing high-quality care and education services for babies, toddlers, young children and their families.

The course is steeped in the contemporary principles of best practice as determined by National Curriculum and Quality Frameworks Aistear, Siolta and the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter and Guidelines for Early Years Practice. Increasing numbers of babies and toddlers are accessing full day-care services and 96% of eligible children now attend preschool (ECCE Scheme). Well qualified early childhood professional educators are needed to provide these children with high-quality care and education experiences and to meet policy and legislative demands.