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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose NUI Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at NUI Galway is all about here.
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About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
NUI Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
NUI Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Political Science & Sociology
DR SHEILA GARRITY
Biography
Research Interests
Research Projects
Project | Start Date | End Date | |
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Early Childhood Education & Care Provision in a Time of Global Pandemic | 01-SEP-20 | 31-AUG-21 | |
Spaces and Traces: Exploration and Meaning Making from the Outside In | 03-JUN-20 | 30-JUN-21 | |
Designing Bespoke Model of Online Module Delivery for Early Childhood Educators | 18-DEC-19 | 30-JUN-21 | |
'Hoping for a Better Tomorrow' A Process Study Evaluation of the Greater Tomorrow Créche and Ballyhaunis Community Preschool Services, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. | 30-JAN-15 | 01-JUN-16 |
Peer Reviewed Journals
Year | Publication | |
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(2020) | ''Let’s Pretend! Imaginative Play in Irish Early Years Services: Practitioner’s Perspectives and Approaches''
Egan, A., Hodkinson, S and Garrity, S. (2020) ''Let’s Pretend! Imaginative Play in Irish Early Years Services: Practitioner’s Perspectives and Approaches''. An Leanbh Og - Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 13 :87-104 [Details] |
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(2019) | '‘It can be daunting guiding through play’, Engaging with Aistear within the Montessori setting'
Thornton, B., Hayes, N. and Garrity, S. (2019) '‘It can be daunting guiding through play’, Engaging with Aistear within the Montessori setting'. An Leanbh Og - Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 12 :108-126 [Details] |
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(2019) | 'Practice guidance for culturally sensitive practice in working with children and families who are asylum seekers: learning from an early years study in Ireland'
McGregor, C, Dalikeni C., Devaney C., Moran L.& Garrity, S. (2019) 'Practice guidance for culturally sensitive practice in working with children and families who are asylum seekers: learning from an early years study in Ireland'. Child Care In Practice, [DOI] [Details] |
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(2017) | 'Hoping for a better tomorrow: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland'
Lisa Moran; Sheila Garrity; Caroline McGregor; Carmel Devaney (2017) 'Hoping for a better tomorrow: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland'. Journal of Family Studies, 0 :1-16 [DOI] [Details] |
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(2017) | 'Trust, responsiveness and communities of care: an ethnographic study of the significance and development of parent-caregiver relationships in Irish early years settings'
Garrity, S,Canavan, J (2017) 'Trust, responsiveness and communities of care: an ethnographic study of the significance and development of parent-caregiver relationships in Irish early years settings'. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 25 :747-767 [DOI] [Details] |
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(2017) | 'An Informed Pedagogy of Community, Care, and Respect for Diversity: Evidence from a Qualitative Evaluation of Early Years Services in the West of Ireland'
Sheila Garrity, Lisa Moran, Caroline McGregor & Carmel Devaney (2017) 'An Informed Pedagogy of Community, Care, and Respect for Diversity: Evidence from a Qualitative Evaluation of Early Years Services in the West of Ireland'. Child Care In Practice, Volume 23 (3):305-321 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details] |
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(2011) | '“It's Not Like a Job Now; It's Part of Me”: Exploring African Women's Experiences in the Irish Childcare Sector'
Sheila Garrity; Brian McGrath (2011) '“It's Not Like a Job Now; It's Part of Me”: Exploring African Women's Experiences in the Irish Childcare Sector'. Child Care In Practice, 17 (1):69-86 [DOI] [Details] |
Published Reports
Year | Publication | |
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(2016) | Hoping for a Better Tomorrow A process study evaluation of the Greater Tomorrow Creche and Ballyhaunis Preschool Services, Ballyhaunis, Mayo.
Moran, L., Garrity, S., Mc Gregor, C., and Devaney, C., (2016) Hoping for a Better Tomorrow A process study evaluation of the Greater Tomorrow Creche and Ballyhaunis Preschool Services, Ballyhaunis, Mayo. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details] |
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(2012) | Mobilising Peer Support in Schools: A Review of the BBBS School Based Mentoring Programme.
Brady, B, Canavan, J., Cassidy, A., Garrity, S., O'Regan, C. (2012) Mobilising Peer Support in Schools: A Review of the BBBS School Based Mentoring Programme. Foróige Best Practice Unit, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details] |
Conference Contributions
Year | Publication | |
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‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Community childcare in rural Ireland; family support principles and practice. [Invited Oral Presentation], ‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo, European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference, Dublin, August 2016) . [Details] |
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‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Abstract accepted to the Ethics and Social Welfare in Hard Times Conference. [Invited Oral Presentation], ‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’, London, UK . [Details] |
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(2018) | Time and Space: Developing Enabling Environments that Nurture and Inspire,
Dr Sheila Garrity (2018) ‘Developing Early Years Practice Through Reflection’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Time and Space: Developing Enabling Environments that Nurture and Inspire, ILAS, National University of Ireland Galway , 24-MAR-18 - 24-MAR-18. [Details] |
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(2018) | Maximising Health and Well-being for Young Children in Roscommon,
Dr Sheila Garrity (2018) Well-being in the Early Years: the what and the why. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Maximising Health and Well-being for Young Children in Roscommon, Roscommon Town, County Roscommon , 09-MAR-18 - 09-MAR-18. [Details] |
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(2017) | OMEP: EARLY CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: EMBRACING CHALLENGE AND INVENTING TOMORROW,
Sheila Garrity (co-authors L. Moran, C. McGregor, C. Devaney) (2017) OMEP: World Organisation for Early Childhood Education. [Keynote Address], OMEP: EARLY CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: EMBRACING CHALLENGE AND INVENTING TOMORROW, Cork, Ireland , 20-MAY-17 - 20-MAY-17. [Details] |
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(2017) | Early Childhood Challenges and Opportunities: Embracing Challenge and Inventing Tomorrow,
Dr Sheila Garrity (2017) .Diversity, Inclusion and Family Support in Early Years Settings: a Case Study. [Invited Oral Presentation], Early Childhood Challenges and Opportunities: Embracing Challenge and Inventing Tomorrow, UCC Cork, Ireland , 20-MAY-17 - 20-MAY-17. [Details] |
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(2017) | Motherlines: Mothering, Motherhood and Mothers In and Through the Generations: Theory, Narrative, Representation, Practice and Experience,
Dr Sheila Garrity (2017) 'I just knew' Trust and intuition in the Development of Parent-Practitioner Relationships in the Irish Early Years Sector. [Plenary Lecture], Motherlines: Mothering, Motherhood and Mothers In and Through the Generations: Theory, Narrative, Representation, Practice and Experience, NUI Galway , 06-JUL-17 - 09-JUL-17. [Details] |
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(2016) | European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference,,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Community childcare in rural Ireland; family support principles and practice (2016) Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo,. [Oral Presentation], European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference,, Dublin , 31-AUG-16 - 03-SEP-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | Child poverty in times of crisis conference,
Moran, L., Garrity, S., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) 'Hoping for a better tomorrow: narratives of coping, resilience and identity among parents in a Direct Provision centre in the west of Ireland'. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Child poverty in times of crisis conference, Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg , 25-AUG-16 - 26-AUG-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | Abstract accepted to the Child Poverty in Times of Crisis Conference, Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg, August 25-26 2016,
Moran, L., Garrity, S., Devaney, C. and C. McGregor (2016) (2016) This paper focuses on narratives of resilience, identity and coping of parents from asylum seeking communities living in a Direct Provision centre in Ballyhaunis, a rural community in the West of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Abstract accepted to the Child Poverty in Times of Crisis Conference, Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg, August 25-26 2016, Salzburg , 25-AUG-16 - 26-AUG-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo,
Moran, L., Garrity, S., Devaney, C. and C. McGregor (2016) (2016) ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. [Oral Presentation], ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, University of Limerick , 14-MAY-16 - 14-APR-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo,
Moran, L., Garrity, S., Devaney, C. and C. McGregor (2016) ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. [Oral Presentation], ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Experiences of Asylum Seekers about Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, University of Limerick , 14-APR-16 - 14-APR-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | Which Path Ahead?Perspectives on Policy from Irish Social Science,
L Moran S Garrity, C McGregor C Devaney (2016) ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland’. [Invited Lecture], Which Path Ahead?Perspectives on Policy from Irish Social Science, Dublin , 11-MAY-16 - 11-MAY-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | Hoping for a better tomorrow’: Narratives of Coping, Resilience and Family Support arising from a study of Early Years services and the experience of parents, including those resident in Direct Provis,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) (2016) Irish Social Sciences Platform and the National Economic & Social Council, Dublin. [Oral Presentation], Hoping for a better tomorrow’: Narratives of Coping, Resilience and Family Support arising from a study of Early Years services and the experience of parents, including those resident in Direct Provis, Dublin , 08-JUN-16 - 08-JUN-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | 'Building Resilience, Enhancing Social Support: What Research Tells Us',
Garrity, S., Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) 'Hoping for a Better Tomorrow': Family Support through Community Childcare provision. [Invited Oral Presentation], 'Building Resilience, Enhancing Social Support: What Research Tells Us', Dublin , 06-DEC-16 - 06-DEC-16. [Details] |
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(2016) | Ethics and Social Welfare in Hard Times,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Practicing Politics in Preschool: Disrupting State policy through Ethical Practice in an Early Years Setting in the West of Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Ethics and Social Welfare in Hard Times, London: Journal of Ethics and Social Welfare , 01-SEP-16 - 02-SEP-16. [Details] |
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(2015) | Us, Them, Me: Universal Targeted or Individualised Early Childhood Programmes - European Early Childhood Education Research Association,
Sheila Garrity (2015) Communities of Care: Vulnerability and Shared Caregiving. [Oral Presentation], Us, Them, Me: Universal Targeted or Individualised Early Childhood Programmes - European Early Childhood Education Research Association, Greece , 01-SEP-15 - 05-SEP-15. [Details] |
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(2014) | 9th Annual Ethnography Symposium - Liverpool University School of Management,
Sheila Garrity (2014) Title: Maternal-Caregiver relationships on the threshold between the private and the public. [Oral Presentation], 9th Annual Ethnography Symposium - Liverpool University School of Management, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK , 27-AUG-14 - 27-AUG-14. [Details] |
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(2014) | Qualitative approaches to research and evaluation concerning children and young people with a view to informing policy,
Sheila Garrity (2014) Qualitative research in the early years sector: Implications for policy and Practice. [Invited Oral Presentation], Qualitative approaches to research and evaluation concerning children and young people with a view to informing policy, Galway, Ireland , 14-OCT-14 - 14-OCT-14. [Details] |
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(2013) | ‘Global Gathering for Early Childhood’ - Early Childhood Ireland,
Sheila Garrity (2013) 'People think it’s not the real world – but it’s our world': Exploring engagement between mothers and early years practitioners in a changing Ireland. [Oral Presentation], ‘Global Gathering for Early Childhood’ - Early Childhood Ireland, Dublin, Ireland , 16-OCT-13 - 19-OCT-13. [Details] |
Honours and Awards
Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
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2020 | CASSCS Dean's Award | College of Arts Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUI Galway |
Professional Associations
Association | Function | From / To | |
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Children's Research Network | Early Years Sub-group | 01-SEP-15 / | |
OMEP/Wolrd Organisation for Early Childhood Education | Member | 01-JAN-16 / | |
European Early Childhood Education & Research Association | SIG: Working with Children & Families | 31-AUG-15 / | |
PLÉ: Pedagogy Learning & Education | Association of Universities/Institutes of Education delivering third level study in Early Childhood Education | 01-SEP-15 / |
Committees
Committee | Function | From / To | |
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Scientific Committee, OMEP - Ireland: World Organisation for Early Childhood Education | Scientific Committee | 04-JAN-19 / 28-MAY-21 | |
Scientific Committee: Early Childhood Ireland; Annual Commitment | Review of conference abstracts | 01-FEB-17 / 31-MAR-21 | |
UNESCO CFRC Biennial Conference Committee | Committee Member; Chair Scientific Subcommittee | 01-OCT-16 / 30-JUN-17 | |
Early Years Research Group | Project Coordination | 01-OCT-16 / 01-MAR-17 | |
Scientific Committee : European Early Childhood Research Association Conference | Review proposals from potential presenters | 01-APR-16 / 30-JUN-16 | |
UNESCO CFRC Biennial Conference Committee | Committee member; Chair of Scientific Committee | 01-OCT-14 / 30-JUN-15 |
Education
Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
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2013 | National University of Ireland, Galway | PhD | Sociology | |
2009 | National University of Ireland, Galway | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Family Support Studies | |
2011 | National University of Ireland, Galway | Diploma | Training & Education |
Community Engagement
Title | Type | From / To | |
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Outreach | Parenting Talks: Tuam Library | 01-MAR-17 / 31-MAR-17 | |
Board Membership | AMACH LGBT+ Galway CLG | 01-NOV-18 / 01-MAR-20 | |
Outreach | Parenting Talks: Understanding your young child's learning | 16-JUL-19 / 16-APR-19 |
Other Activities
Description | |
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Expert Contributor: Community Consultation Presenting: Maximising Well-being, Learning and Development in Children 0 - 3 in Galway City Children and Young Peoples’ Services Committee, TUSLA, January 2015 |
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External Expert: Interview Panel, post of National Childminding Strategy Coordinator. February 2020, Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
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External Expert: Short Listing for applicants for interview, Early Years Inspectorate, Department of Education and Skills. March 2020 |
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Member: Expert Advisory Panel (representing University sector) Advising on the establishment of a new BA degree in Early Childhood Education Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, June 2014, January 2015. |
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External Examiner: Marino Institute of Education, Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, 2019 - 2023 |
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External Expert: Recruitment Panel Recruitment of Early Years Inspectors, Department of Education and Science, July 2015 |
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Invited Contributor: Open Policy Debate Topic: Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Host: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, March 2015 |
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External Examiner MA in Leadership, Management and Mentorship Technical University Dublin 2017-2019 |
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External Examiner, Department of Education and Science Review of Early Years Education Focused Inspections May 2017 to September 2017 |
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Invited Contributor: Inter-Departmental Working Group Topic: Supporting Access to Early Childhood Care and Education for Children with a Disability Host: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, June 2015 |
Teaching Interests
Recent Postgraduate Students
Graduation | Name | Degree | Primary Supervisor | |
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2020 | Margaret Bermingham | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Y | |
2020 | Veronica Crombie | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Y | |
2020 | Niamh Mangan | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Y | |
2018 | Deirdre Molloy | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | ||
2016 | Lisa Curtin | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Y | |
2017 | Michelle O'Doherty | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | ||
2015 | Theresa Gyoh | MASTERS DEGREE (LEVEL 9) | Y |
Current Postgraduate Students (Research)
Student | Degree Type | Type | |
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Sinead Mc Glacken | Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research) | Supervisor |
Modules Taught
Term/Year | Module Title | Module Code | Subject / Desc | |
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Full Year, Year One | Work Based Project Year 1: Reflective Practice | ECS106 | Introduction to the theories and practice of reflection in ECEC. | |
MA, Second Year | Supporting Families through Early Years Provision | EYS1117 | ||
Full Year; Year Four | Research Dissertation | ECS404 | Social Research | |
3rd Year, Spring | Early Childhood Education and Care: Research and Policy | SP3113 | Exploration of policy development in Ireland in relation to the Early Childhood Education sector; the impact of research in ECEC is considered in terms of influencing policy development. Irish policy is situated within the European and International context. |