Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education & Care

Before your course commences, you will be set up on a Chevron College email address which will give you access to Microsoft online learning tools such as Microsoft Teams which will be used for your online webinars. When the course starts, you will be required to attend an online induction webinar which will give you an overview on topics such as, how to navigate your way through the online learning platform, how to submit your assignments online, modules to complete, study skills, goals, academic writing skills, harvard referencing and supports available at Chevron College. All course materials such as notes, assignment briefs and an e-library are contained within the online learning platform. No exams are required as all your course work will be continuous assessment. Each week you will be provided with course content to study in your own time and pace. A scheduled virtual online evening webinar will take place every week. Webinars are also recorded if you cannot attend. Deadlines will be in place to submit your assignments.

If students are struggling to understand weekly content they can post a question to the support forum and their lecturer will post a response to their query. Lecturers also have Open Zoom meetings each week so students can pop in to have a chat about module content if they so wish.

The Studies Advisor is available to support students with areas including academic writing, referencing skills and to develop a realistic study schedule for each module.

During Professional Practice Placement students will be supported by both their Chevron Supervisor and Placement Mentor.

Professional Practice Placement

750 hours of professional practice placement are required in stage 2 and stage 3 (level 7), along with 250 hours in stage 4 (level 8).

Placements must be completed across three various age groups:

1. 0 to 18 months;
2. 19 months to 2 years and 7 months;
3. 2 years and 8 months to 6 years, including children with additional needs.

• A minimum of 40 hours must be completed with at least two of the age groups during each stage.
• A minimum of 40 hours must be completed with all three age groups by the end of Stage 3.
• A minimum of 40 hours must be completed in a second early childhood service during each stage.
• Placement must be completed in a Tusla-registered early years service (crèche, pre-school, Montessori, Early Start Unit or ASD pre-school class).

• QQI level 6 Early Years Major award
• English proficiency (if English is not your 1st language) any of the below English proficiently exams will suffice-IELTS score 6.0 or above – Duolingo score of 105 or higher – Cambridge score of FCE or higher – Any assessment CEFR B2+ or higher
• Sufficient IT skills

• QQI Level 6 LINC Special Purpose Award

• Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 7
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 8

• Become employed as an Early Years Graduate Centre Manager and earn €17.25 an hour
• Open your own Early Years service
• Become employed with government department such as Tusla, local Childcare Committees or CE schemes
• Gain employment with education providers in a tutoring/lecturing role
• Pathway to become a Secondary school teacher, PME programme (Professional Masters in Education)
• Obtain a Teaching Council number to qualify for Summer programme & Home Tuition scheme and earn €27 an hour
• The more staff qualified to a higher level , your service will receive more subsidies under the Core Funding scheme

In compliance with Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 Part 6, where Chevron College offers training programmes of 3 months duration or more, Learner Protection cover is in place via relevant financial product, should Chevron College cease to provide QQI programmes before learners have completed awards.