When it comes to choosing the right CAO course for you, the decision can feel overwhelming. At National College of Ireland, our practical courses are designed to give students the qualifications they need to pursue their passions professionally.
Janine is one of our students who felt that she was able to follow her passions by choosing the BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care. Currently, Janine is considering what her next academic step will be while she gains work experience in her desired sector.
Janine shares her experiences and insights into her CAO choices and study journey below.
How did you know ECEC was right for you?
I have always loved being around and interacting with children. I was always the one who would play with the younger children at birthday parties. When I started babysitting, my interest in Early Childhood Education and Care grew considerably, as with the more children that I minded, the more I saw each child was unique and had their own personality.
"I have a very strong relationship with my cousin Niamh who is Autistic and non-verbal. Our relationship strongly influenced my desire to study ECEC, as I wanted to learn how best to support her and how I can use my knowledge to progress to teaching/supporting other ASD children. Studying ECEC is a huge stepping-stone towards this final goal."
Why did you choose to study ECEC at NCI?
When leaving school, a lot of my classmates were looking to study the same courses, but I wanted to have a fresh start. So, firstly, I chose to study at NCI because it offered me the chance to meet new people. Secondly, the specific attention and advocacy for Autism Awareness was a huge selling point for me; it is something I hold close to my heart. The sensory room was a space I used often during my time in NCI: to complete assignments, study, or to just unwind and process information after a class. I would have been lost without it.
Finally, I chose to study ECEC at NCI because the year I started was the first year that the programme was open to daytime students rather than to evening students already working in the sector. I saw this as a benefit, because we were the first cohort straight from school, so our lecturers adjusted their approach in response and it felt to me like a more collaborative learning experience, which made NCI feel a lot more welcoming.
What did you gain from studying ECEC at NCI?
Studying ECEC has given me great confidence in myself as an educator; my placement years allowed me to learn a lot about the sector while also learning what my teaching style is. I gained great insight into how policies and procedures are developed as well as the importance and impact they hold within the sector; these policies and procedures are in place not just to protect the children but also to allow every child an equal opportunity to learn as there is a baseline for all educators. This is something that really stood out to me and has stuck with me.
How did your Capstone Project motivate you?
For my Capstone Project I chose to focus on designing and implementing a resource that supports children with emotional regulation. This project was greatly influenced by a child in my setting who struggles to express his emotions and can have emotional outbursts. Again, this child reminded me a lot of my cousin and how she needed support, which is why I chose this project topic.
The Capstone Project itself at first seemed quite intimidating, due to the amount of work needed, but my advice would be to take it one step at a time and to ask for help because that’s what your lecturers are there for, they want you to succeed as much as you do.
You have your degree, what's next?
The next steps for my learning are still on the drawing board, but I will be taking a year to work in the sector and put my degree into practice. I have been looking into two further courses, the first one being a micro-credential course “facilitating an inclusive model in ECEC,” and the second one being an SNA course, both of which would enable me to be one step closer to working in a school for children with additional needs.
What advice would you give CAO students considering ECEC at NCI?
"Putting studying and assignments aside, at NCI I was a new person. My family described it as coming out of my shell."
I gained so much personally as well as academically because I made time to take part in college events and experiences. For future students I would highly recommend getting involved with the college community; I was a class rep, student leader, and I attended college events such as Fresher's Week.
I feel that if I hadn’t taken part in these social events, my experience at college would’ve been a dull, difficult process, as this is how I made my group of friends. The college experience is what you make of it, so why not make it a good one?
Janine studied the the BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care at National College of Ireland. Attend our upcoming summer Open Day to meet lecturers and learn more about student life at NCI.
