Leadership & Advocacy in the Early Years

Course Summary
The early years sector has a dynamic, exciting and challenging future. It needs effective and confident leaders across the fields of practice, policy, advocacy, regulation, education and professional development.

• Do you have what it takes to be one of those leaders?

• Do you want to develop your leadership and advocacy skills and capabilities in ways that reflect and build the capacity of the early years sector?

• Do you want to be part of a community of practice that will influence and lead the early years sector into the future?

If the answer to these questions is yes and you have a 2.2 BA Honours in ECCE or cognate discipline and will have at least two years experience working in the early years sector or a related field completed at the end of the post graduate programme, then the Institute of Technology Sligo has the Level 9 programme that will help you to fulfil these ambitions.

Develop key skills
Through this programme you will develop key skills to help you build your own leadership and advocacy capacity; to shape and influence the key organisations and agencies in the early years sector and to effectively bring about real change.

On completion of this programme you will be able to:
• document, recognise and reflect on your existing bank of knowledge, skills and experience

• critically assess and apply central theories of leadership and management from within and outside the sector, in an international context

• engage in effective professional advocacy communication, networking, use of social media and lobbying

• understand how contemporary ECCE organisations work, how to effectively engage and change them, and why it can be so challenging to achieve this?

• compare policy in the Irish early years sector with other leading Early Years comparators internationally, through study, networking and direct experience

• engage critically in research, with an in-depth knowledge of crucial social issues related to children and, the skills to conduct ethical research of your own.

How it Works
The programme is structured around two modules each semester (Semester 1 runs from September to January;

Semester 2 from January to May).You will be engaged in content that will include online lectures (six per module) from lecturers and key leaders and experts in the field; online discussions and activities; access to digital resources; and share your own experiences.

Each semester there will be a residential programme that brings you together with your fellow participants, academic staff and figures in the early years sector. This will allow you to engage in lively debate, extended learning, assessment activities and keynote lectures.

The professional relationships you develop through this course will provide the basis for the leadership and advocacy networks and communities of practice in the future.

Semester 1
Title Credits
Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years 10
Making & Analysing Social Policy 10

Semester 2
Title Credits
Children's lives 10
Contemporary Child Psychology 10

Semester 3
Title Credits
Research, policy and practice 10
Researching Leadership and Advocacy in ECCE 10

Semester 4
Title Credits
Leading Organisations and Change Management 10
Final Research Project 20

A 2.2 BA Honours in Early Childhood or cognate discipline and will have at least two years experience working in the early years sector or a related field completed at the end of the programme of study.

Students who do not meet the above criteria can apply to be considered through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

All applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited for an interview.

Successful interview applicants will be offered a place on the programme.

Applications for online programmes are accepted on the atu sligo website.

All programmes advertised will run subject to sufficient student numbers.

ATU sligo online has two intakes per year, the main one being in September with a smaller listing of programmes for January. For confirmation on start dates check www.itsligo.ie/online

For September, applications open from 1st February each year. Closing date for receipt of applications is 31st august.

For January, applications open from 1st November each year. Closing date for applications is mid-January.

The online application form requires personal details, previous qualifications, professional accreditations, employment history and a personal statement. We recommend collating all the necessary paperwork i.e. Transcripts of previous qualifications, academic certificates before you submit an application.

Once submitted, our admissions team will contact you to confirm eligibility and request copies of any previous qualifications.

Academic staff review every application and approve eligible candidates for the programme.

Admissions team will notify you if you are accepted onto the course and will request deposit to confirm your place.

Places are limited, so please apply early.

2 years part-time

Delivery Method: Blended

On-Campus Attendance
A five-day residential workshop (Mon-Fri) each semester

Most of our online courses have about 2-3 hours of live lectures per week (but this can vary per programme). The rest of your study time consists of independent learning, communicating with your lecturers and classmates and carrying out assignments.

Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle and other accessible platforms. These recordings can be downloaded and watched later, at a time that suits you.

Please note, you may be required to take some time off work for the below:

• Exams Christmas Exams: 2 – 4 days in January each year. Summer Exams: 2 – 4 days in May each year.

• Workshops/Practical Classes: Approximately 2 – 4 days per year depending on the course you are studying. You will receive notification of the dates from your lecturer for each specific subject requirement.

During our Online & Flexible Learning Induction, you will meet with your Course Co-ordinator who will be available to answer any questions you might have, and they will give you your timetable for the upcoming academic year.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Admissions Team on admissions@itsligo.ie.

To help balance work, life, and online learning, it is important to understand the time that you will have to dedicate to your studies. This will help you to stay focused, reduce stress, and achieve your goals while also working full-time.

For part-time online or blended learning, it is recommended that you should try to allow for 5-6 hours per week per 5 credit module to your studies.

Career Opportunities
Opportunities are dependent on where you are resident and what your career aspirations are e.g. Early Years Inspectorate, Better Start Mentors, Manager/ Support and Development Staff of City and County Childcare Committees, Management/Leadership roles in Tusla, Management/Policy roles with National Voluntary Organisations, Management roles in Family Resource Centres and as managers of both private and community Early Years services.

Further Study
Doctoral Studies in Early Years Discipline, Research, Policy, Child and Family Studies. Other opportunities exist depending on your personal goals.