Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care is a three-year, full-time course designed to provide professional training for individuals to work with young children aged 3-5 years in kindergarten settings within schools.

Course Overview

The course aims to equip students with sound pedagogical knowledge to understand how young children learn and how to individualize learning to meet the individual interests, aptitudes, characteristics, and contexts of children. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to a wide range of skills, including planning, observation, documentation, assessment, and reflective practice.

Study Programme

The study programme is divided into three years, with each year comprising two semesters. The course includes a range of compulsory units, which are designed to introduce students to professional, philosophical, and pedagogical issues across different disciplines.

Year 1

• EDS1326: Child Development (6 ECTS)
• EPE1007: Emergent Curriculum in Early Years: Planning and Implementation (4 ECTS)
• EPE1008: Becoming an Early Childhood Educator (4 ECTS)
• EPE1009: Young Children Exploring their Physical and Human Environment (6 ECTS)
• LLI1001: Introduction to Early Years' Settings: Observation and Experience (6 ECTS)
• EDS1106: Children in Society (4 ECTS)
• EPE1010: Pedagogies of Early Childhood Education (4 ECTS)
• EPE1011: Quality Matters in ECEC (4 ECTS)
• LIN1063: Academic Reading and Writing in English (2 ECTS)
• PRE1001: Play and its Contribution to Early Years Development (4 ECTS)
• EDS1329: Psychological Perspectives on Childrens Learning in the Early Years (4 ECTS)
• EPE1005: Music in the Early Years (4 ECTS)
• HPN1017: Health and Well-being for Children 0-7 (4 ECTS)
• HPP1001: Movement and Physical Activity in Early Years (4 ECTS)

Year 2

• EPE2001: Enabling Environments: Using Indoor and Outdoor Spaces, Resources and Materials (4 ECTS)
• EPE2002: Language, Literacy and Communication Development in Young Children (4 ECTS)
• EPE2003: Sharing Responsibilities with Families and Pluralistic Communities in Early Childhood Education (8 ECTS)
• EPE2007: Enjoying English in the Early Years (4 ECTS)
• EPE2008: Children's Early Experiences of Mathematics (4 ECTS)
• EPE2017: The Reflective Professional (4 ECTS)
• EPE2018: Tapping on Funds of Knowledge (4 ECTS)
• EPE2005: Observation, Assessment and Children's Participation in Early Years Settings (4 ECTS)
• EPE2006: Nurturing the Spiritual, Moral and Religious Dimensions (4 ECTS)
• EPE2009: L-Uu tal-Lingwa Maltija fis-Snin Bikrin (4 ECTS)
• EPE2019: Becoming Symbol Literate (4 ECTS)
• EPE2020: Creativity and Arts-based Pedagogies in Early Childhood (6 ECTS)
• LLI2001: Field Placement in ECEC 1 (6 ECTS)

Year 3

• EPE3002: Using Digital Technologies to Promote 21st Century Learning in Early Childhood Education (4 ECTS)
• EPE3005: Implications of Children's Rights and Legal Issues for Early Years Practitioners (4 ECTS)
• EPE3006: Social Issues in Early Education (4 ECTS)
• EPE3007: High Potential, Emerging Abilities and Giftedness in Young Learners (4 ECTS)
• EPE3009: Leadership in Early Years Setting (4 ECTS)
• EPE3010: The Emergent Curriculum in Action (4 ECTS)
• IAL3015: Including Learners with Developmental Disabilities in Early Years (4 ECTS)
• MSE2101: Childrens Understanding of the World through Environmental Education (4 ECTS)
• EDS3110: Addressing Diversity in Early Years (4 ECTS)
• EDS3120: Critical debates in Early Childhood Education and Care (4 ECTS)
• EPE3003: The Early Childhood Practitioner (4 ECTS)
• EPE3004: Transitions in the Early Years (4 ECTS)
• LLI3004: Second Field Placement in ECEC (8 ECTS)
• RSE3000: Promoting Wellbeing and Social and Emotional Learning in the Early Years (4 ECTS)

Admission Criteria

Applicants must meet the general entry requirements, which include a pass at Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or better in any one subject. Special course requirements also apply, including the Advanced Diploma in Children Care, Learning and Development (MCAST) or any other comparable and equivalent recognized qualification.

Fees

The fee per academic year for non-EU applicants is Eur 8,500.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the B.A. (Hons.) ECEC, individuals will have the necessary skills, competences, and qualifications to work with children aged 3-5 years old in kindergarten settings within schools. They will also have the option of pursuing the Master in Teaching and Learning (MTL) Primary to become Primary School Teachers.

Research Areas

The course covers a range of research areas, including psychology, pedagogy, professional practice, creative activity, and professional issues. The study-units are designed to introduce students to professional, philosophical, and pedagogical issues across different disciplines, with the aim of equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and competences needed to work with young children.