This module is designed to provide students with a critically reflective perspective on contemporary practice in early childhood care and education. Students are provided with an overview of EU and international practice in the early year’s sector. Students will critically examine the curriculum framework, quality framework and regulations evaluating their implications for practice. This module will explore professional development in early childhood education and care with a particular emphasis on the experiential learning in work placement and the personal and professional development of the learner. The learner will reflect on their learning experiences with reference to knowledge, practice and values
Contemporary practice in early childhood education and care
EU and International Dimensions. The development of early childhood education and care in a national and international context.
Reflection
The learner will apply models of reflection to their practice in work placement. They will use the Urban et al (2011) Competence Requirements in Early Childhood Education and Care Report to reflect on how knowledge and values inform practice in early childhood. They will critically reflect on their own practice strengths and areas for further development with particular reference to working with children from birth to 6 years of age
Professional Development
The learner will examine the professional development of the early year’s sector in Ireland with particular reference to the Review of Occupational Role Profiles; The Code of Professional Responsibilities and Code of Ethics for Early Years Educators; and the role of DES, Pobal, Better Start and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in promoting the professional development of the early year’s sector
Inclusion
The learner will demonstrate how issues of disadvantage impact on practice and to work in the context of social inclusion programmes such as; ABC, Genesis, Incredible Years, Barnardo’s and Deis. The learner will demonstrate their ability to develop an inclusive early years setting
Management
The learner will identify effective management strategies; leadership styles; supervision; and how to promote effective team working.
Regulations, Legislation and Inspections
The learner will explore the legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to early years in Ireland. They will identify the Tusla and DES inspection models and know the relevance of both to practice in early years.
Frameworks
The learner will examine critically Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (2009) and Siolta: The National Quality Framework (2006) and their implications in practice.
This module is delivered with weekly workshops which run alongside placement. The students engage with the learning outcomes and link them directly to their practice. A floorbook is used throughout this module as part of their self-directed learning to document their professional practice whilst on placement.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |