Blog: Reflecting on 20 years of ECCE in MIC

The BA in Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) was established in 2003, here in Mary Immaculate College.

Over the last few weeks, in helping to organise celebrating this 20 year milestone, I've been reflecting on how far ECCE has come in MIC (and indeed my own almost 20 years working on the programme).

Across these last 20 years, we have seen a lot of changes across the policy landscape of early childhood, the BA ECCE programme and indeed the landscape here within MIC!

Significantly, our BA ECCE programme is now a professionally accredited programme by the Department of Education.

Our work within the field of ECCE in MIC is recognised nationally and internationally.

We are very proud of our graduates who have gone on to work across a range of contexts around the world, including directly in early childhood practice or managing early childhood settings, primary schools, further and higher education. Many are influencing quality provision through their work in family support agencies, mentoring roles in Better Start, AIM, LINC, Tusla and within the Inspectorate.

Many have also engaged in postgraduate studies such as, primary teaching, play therapy, speech & language therapy, autism studies, occupational therapy and paediatric nursing, with the BA ECCE Degree giving a solid foundation for their future endeavours.

Throughout the 20 years, we have navigated through several signficant policy and regulatory changes within the field of early childhood. The pace of policy development has been alacritous however, changing societal attitudes on the importance of early childhood in the education contiuum has been slower.

To mark this significant milestone, we hosted a celebratory event in the college on 2 November, 2023.

There was a great sense of occasion and personally, somewhat of a trip down memory lane. It was such a pleasure to welcome current students, past graduates, administrative staff, the ECCE lecturing team (past and present contributors) practice placement mentors, guest lecturers that have generously shared their expertise over the years, academic staff across both Faculties & the President of MIC, Professor Eugene Wall. Our colleagues from TUS Limerick and key stakeholders from organisations such as Tusla were also welcomed with open arms!

Professor Emer Ring, as a past course leader, Head of Department and now Dean, opened the proceedings, charting some of seminal policy developments and acknowledged the reflective and adaptive nature of the programme and the ECCE team to respond to change so innovatively over the years; "I am very proud to be a member of this innovative team for so many years!"

Practice placement is integral to our work on the BA ECCE degree programme. Developing and maintaining strong working relationships between our students, ECCE practice placement mentors, managers and staff from our placement settings is so important to us. We were delighted to welcome colleagues from placement settings in the locality and to share an exhibition of local young children's art work.

Our past college President, the late Peader Cremin used to remind us that it takes a village to raise a child, indeed it takes a village to successfully run a degree in ECCE and we are eternally grateful for all the support that we have received from so many over the last 20 years.

While Dr Florence Dinneen, the first course leader of the programme couldn't make it in person, she wrote a poignant piece on ‘Twenty Years A-Growing’ which prompted audience reflection on where we have come on this journey. Her integral role in the formative years of this programme will not be forgotten.

While Dr Florence Dinneen, the first course leader of the programme couldn't make it in person, she wrote a poignant piece on ‘Twenty Years A-Growing’ which prompted audience reflection on where we have come on this journey. Her integral role in the formative years of this programme will not be forgotten.

Addressing children's rights is core within the BA ECCE programme.

So, we were delighted that the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon could also join us to mark this occasion.

It was reaffirming in his talk to hear Dr Niall Muldoon highlighting the importance of children's rights and how our students and staff are playing such an important role as defenders of very young children's rights.

He noted how we are advocating and championing for children's rights such as to their education under Article 29 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the child. Article 24, children's right to health and Article 12, their right to have a voice and be heard.

Dr Mary Moloney, Course Coordinator for the BA ECCE, inspired us to reflect on the past and to consider the impetus for the degree over 20 years ago.

Mary charted the progress in the interim but, also spoke of the vision for the future of early childhood across the next 20 years including a graduate led workforce. Borrowing that political slogan, a lot of work has been done, but there is a lot more work to do!

While the degree has most certainly evolved in response to policy, practice, societal changes and our reflective nature as educators over the last 20 years, what remains steadfast for me is the collegiality of the staff and the commitment to the importance of early childhood and the rights of our youngest children.

Over the last 20 years, we have worked together, enjoying the happiest of times, the births, marriages and graduations with many laughs along the way. But we have also supported each other during the harder times, losing loved ones, dealing with illness and working through the pandemic.

Not everyone has the privilege of calling their work colleagues friends, but I am so glad that I can and do! Reflecting on 20 years of ECCE in MIC, indeed, to quote the song ''we've come a long way baby''!

But here's to exciting times ahead to grow and develop further together over the next 20 years.

Dr Jennifer Pope, Lecturer, Reflective Pedagogy & Early Childhood Studies Department, MIC.