Courses / Course

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English		-	-
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Mature Applicants

As this is a flexible degree, the mature age is 21 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. Late application (for existing CAO applicants) accepted.

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

Applicants with a level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care may apply for exemption from year 1.

Please note that applications for the BA Early Childhood - Teaching & Learning (flexible) degree (CAO Code MH004) must be made through the Advanced Entry portal on the CAO application website.

Please note that MH004 BA Early Childhood Teaching & Learning (flexible) will run subject to sufficient numbers in 2025. A decision on September 2025 intake will be made in May 2025. For more details please contact the Department.

APPLY TO THE CAO | WWW.CAO.IE

Applicants with a level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care may apply for exemption from year 1.

Please note that applications for the BA Early Childhood - Teaching & Learning (flexible) degree (CAO Code MH004) must be made through the Advanced Entry portal on the CAO application website.

Please note that MH004 BA Early Childhood Teaching & Learning (flexible) will run subject to sufficient numbers in 2025. A decision on September 2025 intake will be made in May 2025. For more details please contact the Department.

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

Categories of applicant:

• Mature students (part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
• EU/EFTA/UK students
• International students (outside the EU)
• QQI (Further Education) students
• Transferring students
• Deferring students

Course structure

>This programme is designed for Early Years Educators working in early childhood education and care settings.
>Applicants with a Level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care may apply for exemption from year 1.
>Those aspiring to enter the Early Childhood Education and Care sector from Leaving Certificate or further education paths may be interested in the full-time programme MH003.

Duration: 4 years (flexible)

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

	Year 1
	EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING EDF1CSM - EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING Credits: 60 Compulsory: No linked modules at this time

Year 2

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING EDF2CSM - EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING Credits: 60 Compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES EDC223 5 Year-Long CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND WELLBEING EDC225 5 Year-Long EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT: PRACTICES (BIRTH-6 YEARS) EDC222 5 Year-Long EXPLORING CURRICULA AND PEDAGOGY: SUPPORTING ENQUIRY EDC224 5 Year-Long PLAY EDC227 5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT 2 EDC228 20 Year-Long REFLECTIVE PRACTICE: INTEGRATING THEORY AND PRACTICE EDC221 10 Year-Long SOCIAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDC226 5 Year-Long

Year 3

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING EDF3CSM - EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING Credits: 60 Compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGICAL DOCUMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT EDC324 5 Year-Long EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEXT EDC322 5 Year-Long ESTABLISHING QUALITY INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDC325 5 Year-Long INCLUSIVE PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EDC323 5 Year-Long LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDC326 5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: FOCUS ON CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT EDC328 20 Year-Long REFLECTIVE PRACTICE: EDUCATOR AS CHANGE AGENT EDC321 10 Year-Long SUPPORTING CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION EDC327 5 Year-Long

Year 4

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING EDF4CSM - EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING Credits: 60 Compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory DOMINANT DISCOURSES / GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE EDC425 5 Year-Long EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES (BIRTH-6 YEARS) EDC422 5 Year-Long LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & CARE EDC424 5 Year-Long PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT 4 EDC428 20 Year-Long REFLECTIVE PRACTICE: EDUCATOR AS ACTION RESEARCHER EDC421 10 Year-Long SOCIAL JUSTICE, ETHICS & DIVERSITY EDC426 5 Year-Long STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATHEMATICS) IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE EDC427 5 Year-Long TRANSITIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & CARE EDC423 5 Year-Long

Maynooth University Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
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Graduates emerge as early years teaching professionals. Career progression within this sector for those with a level 8 Early 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 NGO’s.

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.

Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options.

After Graduation
>Graduates emerge as early years teaching professionals. Career progression within this sector for those with a level 7 and 8 Early 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 NGO’s.
>This degree positions graduates to spearhead and lead learning in Early Childhood Education and Care settings.
>The Department offers a range of postgraduate study options.

Visit the Department website for more information about postgraduate options.

For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site