The early childhood education and care educator plays a pivotal role in the provision of quality care and education. Early childhood education and care is undergoing rapid change and development in recent times. This course reflects those changes and enables students to engage with the theory and practice of the provision of quality childhood education and care for children from birth to age six. Throughout this course, students will learn how to support children’s strengths, interests and abilities, as well as appreciate the role of the family and society in the provision of education and care in their formative years.
This course has been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB).
This course introduces students to the dynamic landscape of early childhood education and care. Policy, legislation and practice are currently undergoing unprecedented change. Students will have opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and values to support the holistic development of children from birth to six years. Engagement with academic and theoretical literature, classroom simulated practice, and practice placement in early childhood education and care settings will enable students to develop as reflective educators with abilities to articulate what young children are learning, how they are learning and the pedagogic approach which underpins their knowledge.
Upon completion of this course, students will have developed knowledge and skills to co-construct learning experiences with children in diverse early childhood education and care environments. In addition, they should have the ability to work as part of a team, assume responsibility for decision making, and independently conduct primary and secondary research.
