The early years are the most important in the life of a child when the first relationships and experiences influence a child’s dispositions and attitudes towards learning and later life achievements. A high percentage (95%) of three and four year olds attend local kindergarten. Having well-trained professional staff with the knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop is an important quality factor and a crucial element for positive impact on children.
As from October 2016, the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education within the University of Malta’s Faculty of Education will be offering a three year full time B.A. (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care. This new course will provide graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, competences and dispositions to work with 3-5 year olds mainly in educational settings. This new B.A. (Hons) will also qualify students who wish to further their studies and enrol on the Master in Teaching and Learning to become primary school teachers.
This degree has been designed in such a way as to balance the theoretical and practical elements of the profession. It allows undergraduates to engage through a variety of learning experiences including lectures, tutorials, observations, discussions workshops, fieldwork, as well as field placements. It offers undergraduate students the opportunity to develop creative means of engaging with children as well as a critical understanding of the current approaches and philosophies related to young children’s ways of playing, learning and meaning-making.
The course is open to all those who wish to make a positive contribution in the lives of young children and their families. Applicants must satisfy the general requirements for admission as specified in the Admissions Regulations and must also be in possession of a pass at Advanced Matriculation Level at Grade C or better from a specified list of subjects.
Applications shall also be accepted from persons who are not in possession of the general requirements for admission as specified in the Admissions Regulations but have obtained specific qualifications from MCAST or will have reached the age of 23 by the beginning of the Course and can demonstrate that they can profit from the course.
For further details please see www.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations/faculties/educ
All applicants must pass the English and Maltese proficiency tests by the 30 September (unless exempted in terms of the course bye-laws)
Further information about the course, details regarding the course entry requirements and other entry requirements visit the website or contact the course coordinator, Dr Josephine Deguara.