NCI Course Details

Upcoming Events

Join us at one of our information events, where you will have the opportunity to chat to our lecturers and Admissions Team about the range of Business, Computing, Psychology and Education courses starting at NCI in September 2025.

• Saturday 23rd August, 11am-1pm, On-Campus
• Wednesday 3rd September, 5-7pm, On-Campus

The aim of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care is to provide learners with a firm foundation in Early Childhood Education and Care so as to practice as Professional Early Childhood Educators in a range of ECEC environments. As such, the programme aims to present learners with a comprehensive foundation in the principles and pillars of professional practice of early childhood education and care in Ireland and internationally, underpinned by a solid theoretical framework.

The course incorporates core topics including holistic child learning and development, essential legislation and regulatory practices, early learning in a digital world, pedagogical practice in ECEC, working with parents and families, and in multiprofessional contexts. It also includes aspects related to quality assurance. Students are encouraged to reflect, inquire and investigate a range of theoretical and practical pedagogical approaches to learning and development in ECEC.

The final year Capstone Project enables students to develop skills in researching Early Childhood Practice. Students will be enabled as innovators and leaders in the ECEC sector.

This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.

*Applicants with a Major Award at NFQ level 6 may be eligible for an advanced entry into Year 2 of the programme – see the "Advanced Entry into Year 2" tab for further information.

This course is ideally suited to those currently working with babies, toddlers and young children from birth to six, who wish to upskill. You could be working in a pre-school, creche, Naionrai, or home-based setting as a child minder or home visitor.

The programme is also for those working in regulatory bodies such as TUSLA (the child and family support agency) and Better Start or other early childhood intervention programmes.

We encourage school leavers and mature learners returning to education to apply.

If you are interested in learning more about this programme, then check out "Why Study Early Childhood Education?".

Minimum entry requirements for the programme are H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four subjects in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent, which must include English and Mathematics. Applicants from a PLC/further education course must have a full level 5/6 award, three distinctions and meet the CAO points requirement. Students with a major award in Early Learning and Care/Early Childhood Education and Care at NFQ level 6 will be eligible for advanced entry into year two of the programme, subject to certain criteria.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

Mature applicants, applicants with a disability or those applying through the DARE or HEAR access schemes can find out more information on the application process.

Please note that exams can be scheduled during the morning, afternoon or evening Monday to Saturday.

QQI Level 5/6 Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum of 3 distinctions and a full award and meet the CAO points requirements to apply for this Level 8 course. 

Visit our QQI Applicants page for further information.

Applicants with a Major Award in Early Learning and Care/ Early Childhood Education and Care at NFQ level 6 may be eligible for an advanced entry into Year 2 of the programme.

Students interested in the advanced entry route for September 2025 can apply here.

Please note that applicants to year 2 of this programme should hold a Major Award in Early Learning and Care/Early Childhood Education and Care at NFQ level 6 should have obtained an overall Merit grade.

Monday and Wednesday 18:00 - 21:30 livestream and 4 Saturdays 09.30 - 14.00 on campus.

In addition, students are required to be in supervised placement in Year 2 and Year 3. The schedule for supervised practice will depend on placement setting’s schedules.

This programme is approved by Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 degree programmes for the Early Learning and Care sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.

The programme links in with the Nurturing Skills Workforce Plan 2022-28, which aims to professionalise Irish Early Childhood Education and Care, through a graduate led workforce. These changes are guided by ‘First Five’ - Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019).

A strong emphasis on professional, value-based practice placement in diverse Early Childhood settings is included on the course from year one.

Year 1 students are required to go on organised field visits. Year 2 students’ supervised placement will focus on observation and reflection in practice. In Year 3, students’ supervised placement will focus on application of strategies in practice. In Year 4, students will have the opportunity to combine their knowledge, skills and practice in completing a capstone project.

Download the Placement Booklet for further information.

Graduates will possess the skills and competencies to work as lead educators or supervisors, working directly with children, setting managers, advisory, mentorship, training and leadership roles. Further specialisation in play and digital competence can open up related careers in Play Therapy; and developing digital technology for ECEC (robotics, learning platforms, apps etc).

‘First 5’: A Whole–of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2018) suggests a reform in the Early Learning and Care Sector moving towards a graduate-led workforce. The ECCE Scheme (free preschool years) also offers a higher capitation fee to Early Childhood Education and Care service providers where all leaders hold a Bachelor of Arts (Ord) Degree in Childhood/Early Education (Level 7 on the NFQ or equivalent) and have three years of experience in the sector. This and the recent Core Funding initiative of the Irish Govt indicates a government commitment towards a graduate-led workforce in ECEC.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care (240 credits) is awarded by QQI at NFQ Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Students who successfully complete this course may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Practice in Teaching for Further Education or the Master of Arts in Educational Practice.

The programme includes three related exit awards

• BA (Ordinary) in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 7 on NFQ) (180 credits)
• Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 6 on NFQ) (120 credits)
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 6 on NFQ) (60 credits)

Students may exit after Year 3, Year 2 or Year 1 and receive the relevant awards.

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

Processor:

• Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
  Or
• AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7

Random Access Memory (RAM):
16GB or greater

Storage:
SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater

Wireless Card:
802.11 n/ac/ax capability

Recommended Operating Systems:
Windows 11
Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
Chromebook’s are not recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI cannot provide support for these personal devices.

Student Laptop Loan Scheme

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Year 1

• Holistic Child Learning and Development*
• Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Care*
• Music, Movement, Art and Drama
• Academic Foundations and Scholarship
• Essential Legislation and Regulation in ECEC*
• Child Health Nutrition and Wellbeing*

*Field visits to diverse Early Childhood settings will be integrated within these theory modules 

Year 2

• Core Pedagogies and Curriculum in ECEC
• Dispositions and Dynamics of Behaviour in Children
• Managing Your Learning and Academic Practice
• Diversity and Pluralism in Learning Language and Literacies
• Play and Creativity in ECEC
• Placement: Observation and Reflection in ECEC Practice

Year 3

• Quality Assurance in ECEC Environments
• Early Learning in a Digital World
• Inquiry Learning – Design and Evaluation of Curriculum in ECEC
• The Child Family and Society – Stakeholders in ECEC
• Leadership and Governance in ECEC Environments
• Placement: Application of Strategies in Learning Environments in ECEC Practice

Year 4

• ECEC Inquiry and Research Methods
• Social, Political and Cultural Contexts of ECEC
• Working in Multi Professional Contexts
• Personal and Professional Identity
• Capstone ECEC Practice-based Project

This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review level 7 and level 8 degree programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards

For information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

Further information on this course can be found in our Student Handbook.

Blended: Livestream with some Campus and/or Campus Stream classes scheduled in advance.

There is also a full-time day delivery programme.

Incoming students on the BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care programme must undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting is part of the admissions process. Garda Vetting applications must be submitted to NCI prior to commencing the programme. Guidelines on this process are provided by the Admissions Office.

The completed Vetting Invitation Form (NVB1) and supporting documentation must be submitted as soon as an application is completed. Download our Guidelines on the Garda Vetting Process for further information.

Programme offers will remain conditional until part 1 of the Garda Vetting process is completed. 

Note: Students will not be permitted to begin their placement until their vetting application is processed and approved in accordance with NCI’s Student Vetting policy.

4 calendar years

Year 1- €2,370
Year 2 - €2,825
Year 3 - €4,100
Year 4 - €4,100
(Fees revised annually)

You can spread the cost of this course with a direct debit plan.

Scholarships and Discounts

We offer a range of scholarship opportunities and discount offers available to both NCI and non-NCI graduates that will help you access this course.

The BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care is a four-year Honours Degree programme, approved by QQI for full-time delivery with 60 ECTS credits per academic year.

The course meets the requirements as an approved full-time course under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI).