Early Childhood Education

TU Dublin (formerly DIT) is the longest-established provider of Early Childhood Education in Ireland. Our first program commenced in 1977 when we offered a one-year certificate program to pre-school workers in the Eastern Health Board.  The certificate program was extended to two years in 1985 followed by the introduction of a two-year part-time Diploma program in 1993. The BA in ECCE  was introduced in September 1999. In September 2005, the First Year intake on a new 3- year BA (Hons.) took place.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) generally refers to education before the start of primary school attendance (0-6 years in Ireland). Services include pre-schools, Naíonraí, specific intervention centers such as community support preschools, Barnardo’s childcare services, Focus Ireland support services, crèches, child-minding, and after-school groups. The early years are well recognized by legislators, policymakers, educationalists, and researchers as a critical period in children’s learning and development. The ECE professional needs to understand many facets of the child’s learning and development and the role of early education and care in promoting the best outcomes for children. There is a work placement for 30 days in Year 1 and 60 days in both Years 2 and 3. Modules include Psychology and Child Development, Early Education, Professional Practice in the Early Years, Child Health and Nutrition, Art in Early Education, Drama in Education, Sociology and Social Policy, Skills Development, Child Development in Context, Mental Health during the Early Years, Language, Literacy and Numeracy, Aistear and Early Years Curricula; Outdoor Learning, Pedagogy and Curriculum; Digital Childhoods; Working with Families and Communities; Child protection; Business and Management Skills; and Sociology of Education and Inequality.