The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you with professional and necessary knowledge, values and skills to work with children between the ages of 0-7. Whether you are a prospective practitioner or a more experienced Early Childhood Educator, we will provide you a high-quality service that will make you professional educators. The course exposes you to various pedagogical models and perspectives in order to allow you the flexibility to make informed choices and have an eclectic repertoire which best addresses the teaching and learning situations you will face in Early Years settings.
The course aims to develop your call to the profession by forming your attitudes and character, have a good understanding of theories of learning, development, and play; develop an ability to understand children's perspectives through their ways of communication; and be able to prepare curricular activities and experiences that enhance inquiry, participation and interaction.
Since its inception, the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education has worked to raise standards of Early Years practitioners and to promote quality education in early childhood settings by contributing to the drafting of policies, conducting research and offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care equips professionals with the necessary knowledge, values and skills to work with children between the ages of 0-7. It aims to equip prospective practitioners and more experienced Early Childhood Educators with the ability to offer a high-quality service and thus facilitate your recognition as a professional educator.
The course exposes you to various pedagogical models and perspectives in order to allow you the flexibility to make informed choices and have an eclectic repertoire which best addresses the teaching and learning situations you will face in Early Years settings.
In line with the National Curriculum Framework (2012), Early Childhood and Care in Malta (2013), the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) the Key Principles of a Quality Framework for ECEC (EU Council Recommendation, 2019), it aims to develop your call to the profession by forming your attitudes and character, have a good understanding of theories of learning, development, and play; develop an ability to understand children's perspectives through your ways of communication; be able to prepare high-quality pedagogic environments, as well as curricular activities and experiences that enhance inquiry, participation and interaction; by presenting you with the necessary professional knowledge; and provide opportunities to enhance your cultural capital.
Communication and Academic Skills Programme
The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EDS1326 | Child Development | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE1007 | Emergent Curriculum in Early Years: Planning and Implementation | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EDS1106 | Children in Society | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE1010 | Pedagogies of Early Childhood Education | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EPE1011 | Quality Matters in ECEC | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
LIN1063 | Academic Reading and Writing in English | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
PRE1001 | Play and its Contribution to Early Years Development | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EDS1329 | Psychological Perspectives on Children’s 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   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EPE2001 | Enabling Environments: Using Indoor and Outdoor Spaces, Resources and Materials | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE2002 | Language, Literacy and Communication Development in Young Children | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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   | (NC)   | ||
EPE2018 | Tapping on Funds of Knowledge | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EPE2005 | Observation, Assessment and Children's Participation in Early Years Settings | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE2006 | Nurturing the Spiritual, Moral and Religious Dimensions | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
EPE2009 | L-Użu 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   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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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   | (NC)   | ||
IAL3015 | Including Learners with Developmental Disabilities in Early Years | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
MSE2101 | Children’s Understanding of the World through Environmental Education | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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EDS3110 | Addressing Diversity in Early Years | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EDS3120 | Critical debates in Early Childhood Education and Care | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE3003 | The Early Childhood Practitioner | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
EPE3004 | Transitions in the Early Years | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
LLI3004 | Second Field Placement in ECEC | 8 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
RSH3003 | Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Early Years | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care – B.A. (Hons) ECEC - under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.