Children require high-quality education and care during their formative years to reach their potential and this is the focus of this degree programme. The programme is structured to enable participants to become professional, reflective practitioners with an integrated approach in early childhood education and care. Students will acquire skills in areas such as: children’s play and creativity; care; education; children’s literature; psychology, sociology and social policy. A supervised work placement in years 2 and 3 in a variety of early years settings is a key element of the programme enabling students to learn from practice as well as theory. The programme is focused upon promotion of the outdoors space in Early years provision.

Modules covering areas such as: play, use of the outdoors; child development and education; drama and movement, sociology, art and music, social environment; health; hygiene; nutrition; safety; communication; management and personal and professional development. The design and content of the programme has been determined by the Model Framework for Education, Training and Professional Development for the Early Childhood Care and Education sector.

It is an innovative practice-led programme where students learn how to combine theory and practice and to develop as reflective practitioners. An active learning environment is achieved through lectures, seminars, workshops, enquiry-based learning with children’s learning materials.

Placement Modules: The programme includes a work placement that will bring students into direct contact with children. To ensure the protection of the public and justify public trust and confidence, LIT uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) service to assess the suitability of applicants.