IT Sligo has developed a new Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Education and Care, focusing on children’s early education and care needs from birth to six years of age to respond to children and their families’ dynamic needs and support the evolving Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector.
IT Sligo is one of three Higher Education Institutions offering this focused education curriculum.
In recent years the ELC sector has been advocating for increased recognition of the importance of their role linked to the multiple complex responsibilities of providing the highest quality services to ensure children’s learning, development and well being.
Commenting, Roisin McGlone, lecturer on the accredited Bachelor of Education (BeD) in Early Education and Care, said:
“I believe this insight into the role and responsibility of all Early Learning and Care professionals by parents and the wider community, will create a greater understanding of the importance of valuing and appropriately remunerating staff who provide such a vital service for our society”.
Modules such as STEAM have been developed, and all graduates will achieve a Digital Badge based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Children learn through play, and students on the new programme will study several modules focusing on this important aspect of children’s lives, such as Outdoor and Nature Based Play, Children’s Play and Pedagogy.
Placement in various ELC services, including centre-based services, County Childcare Committees, and primary schools, has always been a vital component of the programme, with students undertaking two, thirteen-week placements in the second and third year.
Kathleen McFadden, an IT Sligo graduate, welcomes a newly developed degree:
“IT Sligo has made it possible for me to pursue my dream career in working with children. Having finished my final year, I am now in Liverpool undertaking a teaching assistant role before completing my PGCE in Primary Education at Edge Hill University here in the UK.”
IT Sligo has successfully delivered the BA in Early Childhood Care and Education since 2006, working in partnership with Early Learning and Care services throughout Ireland and is listed on the Department of Education Quality Advisory Board approved programmes.