The document discusses proposed changes to the BA Hons. Early Years Education program at CIT. It will remain a 3-year level 7 degree but will also offer a level 8 option. Placement experiences will be expanded to 2 semesters of 12 weeks each. The portfolio and case study assessments will continue along with a focus on practical skills like curriculum development and resource creation. International student mobility opportunities will also be maintained, including the relationship with a school in Germany. Overall the program will be enhanced while keeping its applied, employment-focused approach and what has worked well.

1. http://www.cit.ie
The New BA Hons. Early Years Education
As society changes, so must we …
Dr. Cian O’ Neill
Dept. of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies
Date: 01.12.16

2. 2016-12-02 2

3. The Current Programme Model
 3 Year Level 7 Degree with a Level 8 add-on
 … 88% progressed to the Level 8 programme in AY1617
 Placement in Years 1-3 for 6-8 weeks
 ‘Short–Fat’ module structure to facilitate Placement
 Strong emphasis on the role of Creative Arts in Education
2016-12-02 3

4. If it’s not broken …
2016-12-02 4

5. If it’s not broken …
2016-12-02 5

6. If it’s not broken …
2016-12-02 6

7. If it’s not broken …
‘The analogy of the misinformed!!!’
2016-12-02 7

8. Advisory Panel Meeting
2016-12-02 8
• Level 8 Ab initio Programme
• Level 7 Exit Award
• Review of the Placement Experience (2 X 12 weeks)
• Enhance the Pers. & Prof. Development suite of modules
• Introduce new & more topical modules
• Rationalise some current suites to accommodate this
• Scope for more cross-curricular links with Montessori Ed.

9. What won’t change …
Applied & Employment-Focused Programme
 Placement: Linking theory with practice, developing as a reflective practitioner,
mentored by cooperating educators in the school/educational setting as well as
by Institute tutors
 Portfolio of Learning: Developing a Portfolio of Learning detailing all the content,
concepts & practical experiences that they learned throughout the programme
 Case Study Assessments: Case Study on one aspect of multicultural educational
settings or the presence of diversity in a school setting
 Resource Development: Creation & development of a ‘Parents Handbook’ that
can be provided in schools to parents who would like guidelines & ideas
regarding home-based activities from both an educational and play perspective
 Curriculum Development: Devise their own curriculum for the EYE sector. This
could be an adaptation of current guidelines or a totally new & novel curriculum
that they feel is appropriate to contemporary education in such settings
 Group Work: Students engage in group work across the 4 years in various tasks,
e.g. to develop an emergent curriculum that promotes diversity & inclusivity
2016-12-02 9

10. What won’t change …
 There has been a long standing relationship
between the EYE programme with the
Vincerola International Montessori Day
Nursery & Pre-School (Germany). The most
recent cohort (12 students) completed a 12
week student mobility programme in
Spring 2016
 We are currently in the process of
establishing a MOU with a Partner
Universities in both Malta sand the US to
expand our international mobility
opportunities to our students
2016-12-02 10
Student Mobility: Vincerola & Beyond

11. What won’t change …
2016-12-02 11

12. 2016-12-02 12

13. http://www.cit.ie
Dr. Cian O’ Neill
01.12.16
Thank you