Early Education and Care (Hons)

Overview

The Early Education and Care (Hons) programme at the Atlantic Technological University 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 programme supports graduates to become skilled, competent, ethical, and reflective practitioners. The programme provides a solid and broad foundation for supporting the child's life-long, life-wide learning experiences within the important contexts of the family, setting, community, and partnerships.

ATU is one of just three higher education institutes in Ireland to offer a Bachelor of Education in Early Education and Care, as opposed to a Bachelor of Arts more commonly found.

Career Opportunities

With a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Education and Care, there is focus on the education and the learning aspects of early childhood and care meaning our graduates can access a range of professional career opportunities including working in early childhood settings such as crèches, nurseries, playgroups, pre-schools, and also primary schools.

Graduates are also employed in Community Development roles, County Childcare Committees, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, community-based Family Support programmes as well as in specialist areas such as additional needs services.

Graduates of this programme are prepared for the leadership and management to set up their own practice or to manage an existing one. They will be equipped to undertake an advocacy role in the national, global, and future context of children's lives. Their understanding of the complexity and richness of the child's lived experiences, in various contexts, will help lead the development and evaluation of children's holistic care, play, and learning experiences.

Some of our past graduates are working in the following roles - Manager Early Years Learning; Early Years Inspector; National Aistear Coordinator; Family Support Worker; Manager Family Resource Centre; AIM Coordinator; Manager Community service; FETAC Tutor; Project Worker; Youth Worker and Primary School Teachers.