Early Childhood in Early Childhood in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Stranmillis University CollegeStranmillis University College

Child Centred Early Childhood CETL Group MeetingChild Centred Early Childhood CETL Group Meeting

Sheelagh CarvilleSheelagh Carville

The Local Context - EducationThe Local Context - Education

Traditionally, a rather formal approach to EY;Traditionally, a rather formal approach to EY; An early start to statutory school [4 yrs + 2 months – 5 An early start to statutory school [4 yrs + 2 months – 5

yrs + 2 months];yrs + 2 months]; Pre 1998 - low levels of funded, pre-school provision Pre 1998 - low levels of funded, pre-school provision

[below half of eligible children];[below half of eligible children]; Currently, a changing and dynamic scene – Currently, a changing and dynamic scene – Pre School Pre School

Expansion ProgrammeExpansion Programme, 1998;, 1998; Approx. 9,000 extra places created in a range of sectors Approx. 9,000 extra places created in a range of sectors

(statutory, voluntary & private);(statutory, voluntary & private); A new approach to the “Foundation Stage” – A new approach to the “Foundation Stage” – Enriched Enriched

Curriculum, Curriculum, seeking to disseminate developmentally seeking to disseminate developmentally appropriate practice for Yrs 1 & 2 of primary education.appropriate practice for Yrs 1 & 2 of primary education.

The Local Context - ChildcareThe Local Context - Childcare

Very patchy;Very patchy; Shortage of provision for 0 – 8 age range;Shortage of provision for 0 – 8 age range; The majority of care is by family members The majority of care is by family members

[largely unregulated] or private providers [largely unregulated] or private providers [expensive];[expensive];

No policy initiative to roll out of Early No policy initiative to roll out of Early Excellence Centres or Extended Schools;Excellence Centres or Extended Schools;

Sure Start: on a smaller scale.Sure Start: on a smaller scale.

The Place of StranmillisThe Place of Stranmillis

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies:BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies: 270 students on both full and part-time pathways;270 students on both full and part-time pathways; Taught in Belfast, but also at Omagh College and Monaghan Taught in Belfast, but also at Omagh College and Monaghan

VEC;VEC; Using face to face teaching, V/C delivery and QoL.Using face to face teaching, V/C delivery and QoL.

Graduates [170 F/T & 280 P/T since 2000] making a Graduates [170 F/T & 280 P/T since 2000] making a significant contribution to the development of EY significant contribution to the development of EY services in NI;services in NI;

ITE route with EY options;ITE route with EY options; PGCE EY (3 – 8 years);PGCE EY (3 – 8 years); M level provision [a new MA (ECS) in September];M level provision [a new MA (ECS) in September];

Student PortfoliosStudent Portfolios

Modular assessment by Modular assessment by Personal/Professional Development Personal/Professional Development Portfolio (PP/DP);Portfolio (PP/DP);

A mechanism for charting personal A mechanism for charting personal development against professional development against professional experience in EY settings;experience in EY settings;

Based on making theory/practice links;Based on making theory/practice links; Completed through observations and Completed through observations and

reflections.reflections.

PilotPilot

CETL pilot – a poster presented;CETL pilot – a poster presented; Placement tasks focused on each Placement tasks focused on each

module’s content;module’s content; Students using employment based Students using employment based

contexts (P/T) & provided placements contexts (P/T) & provided placements (F/T) to gather observations (recorded in a (F/T) to gather observations (recorded in a journal);journal);

Plans to pilot this as an e-journal format.Plans to pilot this as an e-journal format.