Undergraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

MQF Level 5

Undergraduate Diploma

Early Childhood Education

Start
October 2024
Price  (Local/EU)
Part-time
€4,000
ECTS Credits
60 ECTS
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€2,800 refund on this course

Course Description

In recent years, Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Malta has gained importance, recognized for providing crucial foundations and promoting lifelong learning.

A diploma in ECE equips practitioners with essential competences, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and characteristics necessary for the field. Beyond practical skills, the course offers a comprehensive understanding of ECE from historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives, considering the local context’s limitations and opportunities.

It prepares learners to provide and foster quality education in Malta’s Kindergarten settings, ensuring they are fully competent to work with young children.

The course provides learners with a sound understanding of how to provide and foster quality education within ECE settings in Malta (Kindergarten settings).

 

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course will possess:

  • A full qualification at MQF level 4 in Early Childhood Education and SEC/Ordinary Level passes in Mathematics, English and Maltese.

OR

  • 2 Advanced Level passes and 2 Intermediate Level passes including 2 subjects from Mathematics, English, Maltese.
    A pass at SEC/Ordinary Level in the subject that is not presented at advanced/intermediate level from the 3 specified above.
  • In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the RPL process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning, related to the area of study of this programme, is found then the applicant could still be accepted in the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA Academy, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.

IDEA Academy’s RPL policy can be accessed through this link

Furthermore, it will be advised to students at entry point that before going on placements, they will need to be in possession of:

  • The POMA (Protection of Minors Application) certificate.
  • A first-aid certificate prior to commening placement practice.
  • A valid police conduct certificate.

Target Audience

This programme has the following target groups:

  • Individuals who are approaching the field of Early Childhood Education.
  • Individuals who have been working in the field as a means of capacity building.
  • Individuals looking to advance to Kindergarten Educator III role.

Career Paths

This programme aims to equip the target audience with the knowledge, skills and competences listed in this application.

  • The possible posts that this course prepares as a foundation for to become a Kindergarten Educator III.

Modules

You are required to complete all 9 compulsory modules (60 ECTS)

How you’ll be assessed

The course comprises:

  • Evening classes for part-time courses.
  • Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
  • Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
  • Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:

  • Modular Assessment
  • Summative Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules. 

Assignments
Discussions
Dissertation

Course Intake Dates

October 2024
Malta
Local/EU
Part-time
€4,000

Learning Outcomes

For Knowledge:

The learner will be able to:

  • Gain an overall perspective of Early Childhood Education (ECE) on an international, European, and local level (Module 1)
  • Review the foundations and roots of ECE through a historical, philosophical, and sociological perspective (Module 2)
  • Discuss and consolidate knowledge with regards to the various areas of development (physical, cognitive, emotional, linguistic, social) of young children (Module 3)
  • Identify appropriate research tools to strengthen own academic writing (Module 4)
  • Show awareness of the most relevant contemporary issues within the ECE field (Module 5)
  • Navigate the various pedagogical tools and documentation which are made use of within ECE (Module 6)
  • Analyse the important role of learning through experiential immersion in ECE (Module 7)
  •  Discuss and evaluate how the Emergent Curriculum is responsive to the interest of young children (Module 8)
  • Gain knowledge relating to the core functions of an ECE setting and one’s own responsibilities (Module 9)

For Skills:

The learner will be able to:

  • Apply the canonical theories of ECE (Module 1)
  • Research historic, sociological, and philosophical approaches to ECE (Module 2)
  • Promote healthy and holistic child development in ECE (Module 3)
  • Display good use of academic writing, using an appropriate scholarly approach (Module 4)
  • Make use of various resources (such as academic literature) to discuss contemporary issues in ECE (Module 5)
  • Produce documentation based on careful observation of young children (Module 6)
  • Promote an ECE setting which is conducive to experiential learning (Module 7)
  • Move towards project-based and problem-based learning through the Emergent Curriculum (Module 8)
  • Document basic reflections and potential self-recommendations after his/her first professional experience (Module 9)
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International
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See what students have to say about our courses

Claudio Cauchi

After many years – probably too many – I accepted the fact that I had to improve academically in order to get better career opportunities, as experience alone was not enough.

I knew that juggling family, work and study commitments would be a challenge and therefore finding the right institution that could understand these realities was crucial for me to ensure that I would succeed.

IDEA Academy has indeed ticked all the right boxes. The lecturers were all very knowledgeable and, more importantly, they provided everyday life examples that we could relate to. I also appreciated the Academy’s administration. They were extremely supportive and were always willing to listen to our suggestions and address any queries in an efficient and timely manner.

Claudio Cauchi

Higher Diploma in Business Management

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