Master of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education

Course details

Current Issues in Early Childhood
The unit aims:
- To critically reect upon and evaluate key issues and theories of early childhood and child development, in the areas of child health, social policy and early childhood education.
- To evaluate and analyse current literature and theories about child development
- To develop a process of critical analysis and evaluation of a range oftheoretlcal perspectives in the field
- To develop students' independent thought and theoretical perspectives of early childhood studies
Advanced Study of Curricular Models in Diverse National and International Settings
The unit aims:
- To critically analyse and evaluate the Early Years Curriculum in a variety of National and International contexts
- To compare and contrast how and why different curricula are constructed and applied
- To critically examine the interrelationships between theory, policy and practice across different curricula
Policy Issues in Early Childhood: National and International Perspectives
The unit aims:
- To acquire an in-depth understanding of leadership and management in the Early Years from a national and
international perspective
- To extend students' theoretical knowledge on management issues
- To critically analyse the way in which current policies and senlices have developed in relation to the management
of Early Years provision
- To examine and evaluate the theoretical perspectives inuencing the management of Early Years provision
- To identify the management skills required in the development of Early Years services
- To critically analyse concepts, procedures and systems which contribute to a quality provision
- To explore and evaluate the issues surrounding the planning, procurement, deployment and review of financial,
physical and human resources
- To develop an in~depth knowledge and understanding of how to manage a range of resources and to understand
how one's role is affected by the deployment of resources.
Final Dissertation
The final dissertation is the demonstration of the acquisition ofthe postgraduate characteristics required by pathway
regulations and identified in the dissertation proposal. Each student will be required to undertake a dissertation project relating to their interest which will develop their academic and research skills. A variety of projects are permissible, depending on the availability of appropriate supervisory expertise.