Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Working Life Oriented Competence Module

Content of the programme & FAQ

The scope of studies in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is 60 credits. The duration of the module is one year and includes three courses (30 credits), practical placement (15 credits) and a thesis (15 credits). Courses are conducted as online studies and there are not meetings in the campus. Completing the studies requires competence to work independently, organisational skills and commitment: 60 credits a year to study alongside work is a compact but feasible package of studies.

Below are the studies of the programme. 

• Basics of Competence in Early Childhood Education and Care 10 ECTS
• Child-oriented Activity in Early Childhood Education and Care 10 ECTS
• Operational Culture Supporting the Inclusiveness of Early Childhood Education and Care and Multidisciplinary Cooperation 10 ECTS
• Placement for Professional Working Methods 15 ECTS
• Early Childhood Education Oriented Thesis 15 ECTS

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Can I complete the programme while working?

• Yes! Ideally, the programme is feasible alongside your early childhood education and care work.
• The programme is delivered online.
• However, the programme requires flexibility in terms of working hours: we aim to schedule the lectures in the afternoons, usually between 12.00 and 18.00.
• Please note that online studies also include compulsory attendance.
• Please note that online studies also include assignments and projects in the field of early childhood education and care. You can do these in your own early childhood education and care work.

Can I complete the programme at my own pace?

• Unfortunately, not entirely.
• The programme will proceed in a certain order, due to the timetable of the courses.
• The sequencing of the programme is also affected by the fact that other parts of the prpgramme must be completed before moving on to the thesis process.
• The thesis process will proceed in a group supervision format with a pre-determined timetable.
• Self-paced progress is also influenced by the pair and group work that is carried out during the programme, in which important work-life skills are practiced.
• You can complete some parts of the training at your own pace, such as individual assignments in courses.

How is sufficient work experience (6 months) calculated?

• You must have a total of approx. 6 months of work experience (approx. 960 h)
• Work experience can be of different duration and from different types of employment (e.g. temporary and part-time)
• A work certificate (6 months) of work experience must be presented

Will I qualify as a teacher in early childhood education and care after this programme?

• You will not.
• In Finland, you study to become a teacher in ECEC at an academic university.
• The programme is not equivalent to 60 credits of ECEC teacher pedagogical studies.

Will I qualify for a social pedagogue in early childhood education and care (Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi) after completing the programme?

• Yes, if you already have a Bachelor of Social Services degree (sosionomi AMK).
• If you do not yet have a Bachelor of Social Services degree, you can have this programme (60 credits) accepted as part of your degree when you apply to Laurea later and become a degree student.
• This programme is for you if you are aiming for a qualification of a social pedagogue in early childhood education and care.

I didn’t manage to enrol within the registration deadline shown on Laurea Smart, but it seems that there are still study places available. Is it still possible for me to join the programme?

• Unfortunately not for this implementation, for which the registration deadline has already closed.
• Until now, a new implementation of the programme has started every spring (January) and every autumn (August). We hope to continue offering this programme in the future, so please keep an eye on Laurea Smart’s information and course offerings.