The National University of Ireland, Maynooth
BA Early Childhood Teaching and Learning
Maynooth, Ireland
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 16,500 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
- Full time, level 8, honours degree, catering for those aspiring to enter the Early Childhood Education and Care sector from Leaving Certificate, further education or mature student paths. Those currently working in the ECEC sector may be interested in the flexible BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning (MH004).
- The programme is closely linked with Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) practice, and staff are experienced in the development, delivery and advocacy of Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Work placements take place in Tusla-notified Early Childhood Education and Care settings.
- It is a progressive level 8 degree, supporting the development of outstanding early childhood educators.
- Students can graduate with a level 7 qualification after 3rd year or a level 8 qualification after 4th year.
- This degree offers graduates the option of progressing their careers in Early Childhood Education and Care in varied professional roles.
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
This full-time degree will prepare you for a range of leadership roles in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector. Lectures are 3 days a week and students spend 2 days a week in settings (for example, in 2024-2025 lectures took place Tuesday - Thursday and placement was either Monday or Friday).
Possible topics:
1st year
- Reflective Practice: Educator as Learner
- Introduction to Child Psychology
- Introduction to Social and Legal Studies
- Introduction to Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Health and Well-being for Infants and Toddlers
- Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
- Philosophy, Culture and Constructs of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Professional Practice 1
2nd year
- Reflective Practice: Integrating Theory & Practice
- Learning & Development Practices (Birth to 6 years)
- Play
- Health and Well-Being for Young Children
- Childrens Spaces
- Building Relationships with Children, Families and Communities
- Exploring Curricula & Pedagogy
- Professional Practice 2
3rd year
- Reflective Practice: Educator as Change Agent
- Learning & Development in Context
- Social Justice, Ethics & Diversity
- Supporting Creativity & Imagination
- Social & Legal Context of Childhood
- Community as Context
- Supporting Enquiry/Enacting the Curriculum
- Professional Practice 3
Final year
- Reflective Practice: Educator as Action Researcher
- Learning & Development: Challenges
- Leadership and Management
- Transitions in the Early Years
- Dominant Discourses in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
- Literacy Numeracy and Scientific Enquiry
- Professional Practice 4
Modules may change.
- Graduates emerge as early years teaching professionals. Career progression within this sector, for those with a level 7 or level 8 Childhood degree, is expanding rapidly within and beyond Early Childhood Education and Care settings to include opportunities within policy development and evaluation agencies within government departments, semi-state bodies and NGOs.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning positions graduates to spearhead and lead learning in Early Childhood Education and Care services.
- Graduates may also take up roles with local development agencies within the early childhood sector both nationally and internationally.
- The Department offers a range of postgraduate study options.