Course Overview
This level 8 BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education degree is awarded by University of Essex. The blended learning option enables you to work full-time while gaining this degree. Upon completion, you will be eligible for the Graduate Premium from DCEDIY and job opportunities outside of the early years setting.
This 3-year level 8 BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education programme focuses on how play and learning shape young children’s development in various historical, political, and cultural settings.
It explores local and international views on children’s rights, health, well-being, and education, emphasising diversity and inclusion. The course draws from fields like psychology, sociology, education, and health.
Students, whether experienced or new, must complete supervised work-based modules, blending practical experience with academic learning.
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education from the University of Essex.
This is awarded at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland. The qualification is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board as meeting requirements of the Professional Award Criteria for Early Childhood Care and Education.
Please note that the year you study a module is subject to change depending on your entry point onto the course.
*CATS Credits Displayed. 2 CATS points = 1 ECTS point.
Jacinta Murphy
Position: Early Years Lecturer
“When I returned to education in 2000 to study Montessori Teaching, I knew I had found my life’s passion. I am passionate about my job and I want to instil in others what has been given to me.”
About Jacinta
I began working in early education in 1994, and to be honest, did not know what I was taking on, but the times of work fitted with my family! Little did I know that I would find my life’s passion.
I was fascinated by these young people and the fact that the sector was unregulated and basically providers could do what they liked. I began to read on the subject and improve my practice and returned to education in 2000 to study the Montessori Method.
Since then, I have not stopped learning, through study, working with children and families, and through my role as a manager/lead practitioner in rural, urban, affluent, and disadvantaged areas.
My experiences provide me with vast industry insight as I have experienced vast changes within our sector, frameworks, legislation and other.
In a setting, each year brings a different group dynamic, therefore it is essential to have the ability to reflect upon and amend provisions and practices to meet the needs of children, families, and staff. I hope that bringing my practical experiences in the setting into my tutorials allows students to link theory and practice.
In 2004, I became a tutor at Portobello Institute on a part-time basis. Currently, I work full-time for the Institute supporting full-time QQI Level 6 students in Child Development, Early Childhood Curriculum, Social, Legal and Health Studies and Personal and Professional Development.
I am part of a vital, vibrant team who supports Level 7 Early Childhood Studies Degree students studying through a blended approach. I lead modules such as Children’s Rights in Today’s World, Enquiry-Based Learning and Communicating in Multilingual Contexts.
Jacinta’s Teaching Philosophy
My approach is that all students have something to give and to learn, true learning is a two-way process, I love to see students discussing their life experiences to make sense of theory.
Many of the students are experienced practitioners and their practical knowledge should be valued. Just as no two children learn the same, similar could be said of adults, people learn in different ways and therefore I try to use a variety of approaches to suit the needs of the group in question.
I also understand the pressure of completing studies with work, families, and other commitments, as I have been there, and can offer some practical tips.
My greatest achievements as a tutor are to see students who are returning to education with little confidence in themselves and their abilities, blossom and grow both as students and practitioners.
Key valuable graduate attributes are, of course, the knowledge required to be an early year’s practitioner and the ability to apply that knowledge in their setting.
However, there are other equally vital tools, such as compassion, to be able to look at situations from various perspectives to gain understanding and allow for appropriate planning.
The ability to reach, support and work with all children, families, and staff in the setting is fundamental to quality provision.
Building respectful, reciprocal relationships is essential to providing quality experiences which benefit children’s learning and development.
I hope to instil the ability to reflect critically, without criticising, to examine attributes, biases, and areas for improvement and to plan accordingly.
Qualifications
- MA Early Childhood Studies
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Industry Participation
- Teacher providing July Provision, a home-based programme for children with complex needs.
- Assisted the set up of a Homework Club, Mother and Toddler Group and Woman’s Group in a disadvantaged area through government funding. This group won a Millennium Award for their efforts, it was a proud day to receive this award in Dublin Castle with 2 others.
- HETAC Montessori Course Liaison
- Child Protection Course facilitator
February 2025 Course Schedule
The academic year runs from 08/02/25 to 02/12/25 with usual breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Dates are subject to change.
- Saturday workshops are held online from 10am to 1pm.
- Evening webinars are scheduled between 7 – 9pm and are recorded should you be unavailable to attend the live session.
Placement Hours
You are required to complete 450 hours per academic year in an Early Years setting. This can be completed within the setting that you are employed in.
Course materials are available weekly for download from our eLearning platform. One-to-one tutor support and structured online content make this course flexible and accessible alongside your work and family commitments.
Work Placement
Students take four modules in Year 1 and five modules in Year 2, including one placement-based module each year.
You are required to complete 450 hours work experience in an early years setting for each of the first two academic years as part of the Reflective Practice & Professional Development (Placement Portfolio).
If you are working in an early years setting*, you can complete the practical element of the work experience module in your current role.
*For students resident in Ireland, your placement setting must be registered with DCEDIY. For overseas students, the requirement is that your setting must be registered and adhere to all regulations as required by your jurisdiction.
Our team will help you to secure a suitable work placement during your studies and this placement can be in your locality.
In third year, you are required to complete a total of 100 hours of work experience in an Irish early years setting and the same conditions apply. You must also complete two observational visits to another setting as part of the peer supervision process.
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Review of your application with confirmation of eligibility criteria and entry requirements being met or a request for further information.
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3You will be "Provisionally Accepted" and offered a place by email.
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4Confirm your acceptance of a place and pay the deposit as detailed.
Course: €3,600.00
Option 1
30% deposit payment (€1,198.50), followed by 10 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €395.
- €279.65 due in month 1
- €279.65 due in month 2
- €279.65 due in month 3
- €279.65 due in month 4
- €279.65 due in month 5
- €279.65 due in month 6
- €279.65 due in month 7
- €279.65 due in month 8
- €279.65 due in month 9
- €279.65 due in month 10
