The early childhood care and education sector in Ireland and worldwide is rapidly changing. This is because of ongoing research, investment, and interest in the importance of early childhood in overall development.
The value of an early childhood care and education degree is increasing all the time as the workforce in this sector becomes graduate-led. It is more important to update your knowledge and keep up with the latest research and methodologies to ensure the highest standards in this sector.
By holding a degree in early childhood care and education you can
- Improve your own practice in a childcare setting
- Gain confidence to deal with parents, colleagues and inspectors
- Move into management and leadership
- Move towards working outside the setting with a government agency
- Tutor on childcare programmes
- Continue on a path to primary school teacher/child psychology/inclusive education
If you are interested in gaining your early childhood care and education degree, visit our Early Years Department here.
Whatever your career aspirations, the foundation of your career in childcare starts with your degree. The baseline standard of education needed to work in this sector is constantly evolving and moving into higher education.
Childcare is no longer just a job, it is a professional career where having a degree can open doors to opportunities that you may not have previously considered.
In recent years, the focus on improving the quality of childcare provided in all settings has stemmed from the upskilling of core practitioners as they apply their learning in their day-to-day work. As a result, the role and contribution of childcare practitioners is becoming increasingly valued by education and government agencies and more importantly by parents and the wider general public.
The increased professionalisation has created new career paths in a wide range of public and private childcare settings and organisations responsible for the management and monitoring of childcare in Ireland.
A cursory glance at the jobs in this industry on the various job search sites reinforces the ever-increasing demand for degree-qualified childcare practitioners and reveals a wide range of jobs available in the public and private sectors.
To excel in this industry you need:
- Excellent communication
- Interpersonal and instructional skills coupled with
- Patience and a passion for enhancing the development of children in your care.
In the past, those caring for children would have developed those skills by gaining experience in a childcare setting, however, the world of work has changed and qualifications are now essential to work and progress within this industry.
If you are interested in an early childhood care and education degree, visit our early years department here.
Do I need a degree to work in an Early Years setting?
A recent report states that in Europe, all but four countries require core practitioners (setting leaders) to have a minimum of a degree (European Commission, 2019).
Ireland is currently one of the four countries where the degree is not yet mandatory.
Denise Flood, Head of Early Years Education at Portobello Institute believes this will change.
Based on her vast experience in the industry and having reviewed this and other recent analyses early years childcare and education, she comments;
“This sector is moving to a graduate-led workforce and I believe that in the next ten years that new entrants will be required to have a degree to work in creches and preschools.
"I believe that the sector will become a fully government-funded sector with teachers potentially paid from a central fund.
"Having a degree is going to be vital for all practitioners. So if you intend to stay in the sector then you will need to upskill your current qualifications," she said.
How will a degree help me work with children?
All the research indicates that there is a positive correlation between better-trained staff and better quality service and a recent recommendation at the European Commission level states that:
“the availability of highly qualified staff leads to higher quality staff-child interactions and therefore better developmental outcomes for children” (European Commission, 2019, p.6).
After completing the level 6 course, Aoife Quinn quickly became aware of the importance of further education to better enhance her ability to guide the children in her care, and consequently began the BA degree programme at Portobello Institute.
Aoife expresses how lucky she is to be working in early years childcare and education and how fantastic it has been to use the knowledge gained throughout the course in the classroom setting every day.
“Each module completed has given me confidence in my ability as a practitioner and to bring out the best in every child I work with.”
For Aoife, the course ignited a strong passion for child development, especially in the area of creative development and the children’s ability to express themselves.
The course has essentially given Aoife access to her passion and has allowed her to work within this every day.
“Completing this course was the best thing I have ever done and I couldn’t be prouder to say I did it with Portobello Institute," she said.
What are the Career Options with an Early Childhood Care and Education Degree?
Own or Manage a Setting: With a degree in early childcare studies, you can open, own, operate, manage, and work within any early years setting in Ireland where you will be eligible for the higher capitation under the ECCE scheme. You can undertake the role of; Room Leader, Facility Manager, or Owner/Manager.
Become a Special Needs Teacher
Having completed the degree in early childhood studies you could work in funded special needs early years facilities and become registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Become a Primary School Teacher If you have your degree and honours Irish you can apply for a professional master's in primary school education which will allow you to work as a primary school teacher.
Joanne Daley, a recent graduate of Portobello Institute tells of the path she has taken to achieve this goal,
“I initially wanted to do primary school teaching after my leaving cert however, I did not receive the points required to do so. I decided I would look at alternative courses that would help me reach my end goal. I choose the Montessori course as I found the course content appealing, it was a very practical and hands-on course. Completing the Montessori course enabled me to confidently apply for the degree program with Portobello. While studying for the degree I was able to work part-time in a Montessori school. I am also now moving on to study for my masters, and am experiencing continued success in my career”.
Having completed all this learning in just four years, Joanne has been accepted onto the Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Education with Hibernia College to train as a primary school teacher – following her passion and fulfiling her potential in her ultimate goal.
Success Story: Anna Chaszczewska – “I’m So Proud That I Did It, My Level 7 Opens So Many Doors”
Become a Childcare Tutor in Further Education
For those interested in tutoring, they need to combine their degree with a level 6 teaching qualification to become a tutor in Level 5 and 6 early years and special needs programmes.
All tutors at Portobello Institute have a minimum of a degree coupled with extensive industry experience. In fact, many of the lecturers have come through the Portobello Institute degree programme.
Other students have gone on to tutor in programmes run by the ETBs (Education and Training Boards) in local schools and colleges across the country.
Tutoring at a local college whilst still working in her main job in a childcare setting appealed to Laura Quinn who completed her level 7 degree and moved on to the level 8. Laura talks of the impact of studying for a degree has had on her life.
“This course will have a huge impact on my life. Firstly, I have gained so much valuable knowledge that I can apply in my personal life with my own young children, hopefully making me a better parent.
"Professionally, I now have been promoted to room leader in my work. Along with this comes an increase in my wages. I also have the opportunity to go and tutor adults at level 5 and 6.
"Achieving my degree with distinction has given me a huge sense of pride, achievement and satisfaction. Most importantly it has given me the confidence to go ahead and progress to undergo the level 8 program. This in turn will open up even more possibilities personally and professionally," she said.
Work for a Government Agency
You can work for government agencies or early years support bodies such as county childcare committees etc. Roles with these organisations can vary from management and administration of services to monitoring of childcare and education settings. For instance, Tusla is currently advertising for an Early Years Inspector. In order to apply for the role, you must have a Level 8 degree and 5 years of work experience in a childcare setting.
This is an exciting role where you will use your knowledge and experience to improve the service offered in various childcare settings.
It involves inspecting facilities, investigating issues, advising providers, and writing reports. Constant liaison with other agencies and assisting in the development of childcare policy are also part of the role.
Obviously, for this role, the experience gained in a childcare setting is essential, however, the knowledge of best practices in childcare provision and management derived from the degree is crucial to effectively undertake this role.
Engage in Postgraduate Study and Research
Many students who have completed the degree programme long to learn more and undertake postgraduate education to master's and doctorate levels to pursue their research interests.
Denise Flood, tells us of her own educational journey.
“The master's is the icing on the cake! It allows you to delve further into a particular topic, for me that was child protection, to develop an area of expertise which is so important in my teaching at Portobello Institute," she said.
Contact Us
If you are interested in finding out more about our upcoming intake for early years degrees reach out to our Early Years Admissions Advisor, Jennifer Matteazzi, who will answer any questions you may have. You can book a 15-minute free consultation call with Jennifer at a time that suits you here. Or you can email jennifer.matteazzi@portobelloinstitute.com or call her directly on 01 892 0031.
Reference
European Commission (2019), Council Recommendation of 22 May 2019 on High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Systems. OJ C 189, 5.6.2019, p. 6.
