NC030 · Level 8 · 4 years

Early Childhood Education and Care

National College of Ireland (NCI) · Dublin

2026 Round 1 points

AQA

All qualified applicants got a place, so no points were needed. You still have to meet the minimum entry requirements.

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About this course

A degree for working with babies and young children from birth to six. It is a professional qualification recognised by the Department of Education.

How long
4 years
What you study
First year covers child learning and development, music, art and drama, and legislation. Later years cover pedagogy, behaviour, play, language and literacy, and leadership. In final year you carry out a practice-based capstone project.
Placement and abroad
Placement takes place every year, totalling 880 hours, starting with a block placement in first year.
Where it can lead
Graduates can work as lead educators, room leaders, managers, mentors or inspectors in early childhood settings, or go on to postgraduate study.
Who it suits
Suits students who love working with young children and are patient and caring.

Summary written by FindMyCollegeCourse.ie from the college's own course information. Check the college website for full details.

About Welfare

Focuses on social care and community support roles

These courses involve learning about the systems, policies, and practices that support the well-being of individuals and communities. This field focuses on understanding social justice, inequality, human behavior, social policy, and supporting vulnerable populations. E.g. Social Care, Community and Youth Work, Early Childhood Care.

Points history

YearRound 1Final (end of season)Middle student
2026AQAPublished after the final round
2025 228209308
2024 AQAAQA318
2023 AQA208328

Round 1 is the points needed for a first-round offer. Final is the lowest points offered a place after all rounds. Middle student is the points of the student in the middle of everyone who got a place. * means not everyone on those points got a place (random selection). Source: CAO points lists.

Subject requirements

  • Mathematics: Higher H7 or Ordinary O6
  • English or Irish: Higher H7 or Ordinary O6

These are the course's own subject requirements. You also need to meet the college's general minimum entry requirements.

See the course on the National College of Ireland (NCI) website ↗

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