Early Childhood Ireland and the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University wish to recruit Lecturer/Assistant Lecturer in Education: Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Ireland
Our vision is that every young child is thriving and learning in quality early childhood settings. Our role in achieving this vision is to be effective champions for quality in practice, putting children and their rights at the core of our work and advocating strongly for them, their families and all early childhood professionals.
Our mission is to inspire and enable members to provide quality experiences for young children and their families in their settings.
We will work to achieve this vision and mission by partnering with Academic Institutions to develop practice informed teaching.
Maynooth University
The last two decades have seen the University grow rapidly in scale, strength and stature. NUI Maynooth is today a university of international standing, renowned for the quality and value of its research and scholarship, for its dedication to excellent teaching, for providing an outstanding learning experience for its 8,500 students, and as a uniquely collegial environment in which to pursue scholarly work.
NUI Maynooth is embarking upon a new and exciting phase of its development under the University Strategic Plan 2012-17 with a vision to consolidate the international reputation of NUI Maynooth “as a university known for outstanding teaching, excellent research, a global outlook, effective engagement with the society we serve, and our distinctive approach to the challenges facing modern higher education.”
The BA in Early Childhood-Teaching & Learning
Together, The Froebel Department of Primary & Early Childhood Education at Maynooth University (MU) and Early Childhood Ireland have combined our experience and expertise in the areas of research, theory and practice to create a dynamic, vibrant programme that is relevant for the changing and evolving requirements of the early childhood care and education sector in Ireland. The BA in Early Childhood – Teaching & Learning is one of a number of courses offered within the Froebel Department of NUIM for those interested in the area of pedagogy in the early years.
This programme in early childhood education was developed in response to the sector’s demand for flexible progression routes to degree level and as a consequence of relevant policy changes. It is delivered over the course of evenings, weekends and one week blocks to facilitate adults who are unable to attend on a full-time basis during the day. With innovative features such as flexible delivery and semesterisation, students may advance in a systematic and learner friendly way towards a primary degree.
With this appointment, Early Childhood Ireland and Maynooth University wish to ensure that the BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning continues as an evolving programme that meets the highest standards and that supports students’ teaching and learning at the cutting edge of emerging research, policy and practice. It is also anticipated that other courses will be developed to compliment the BA in time.
The Role
Early Childhood Ireland and the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University are committed to ensuring that the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.
We are seeking an excellent candidate to join our staff as a Lecturer/Assistant Lecturer on the BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning programme. The person appointed will have a proven record of teaching, research and publication, appropriate to career stage. He/she will be expected to make a strong contribution to the teaching programme of the Department and undertake teaching duties on the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as the supervision of Master’s and PhD students as and when appropriate.
Principal Duties
Teaching:
Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching duties include:
Teaching and assessing students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels towards developing knowledge, skills and understanding of early childhood education using a diverse range of approaches and methodologies. This may include lecturing, tutoring, leading practical learning activities and seminars, supervision of students on placement experience and research activities, and setting, supervising and grading assessments;
Enhancing and innovating teaching and assessment practice;
Contributing as required, to the assurance and enhancement of teaching quality;
Outreach and promotional activities and the recruitment and selection of undergraduate and post-graduate students;
Developing and enhancing the curriculum;
Designing and delivering of new courses.
Research & Scholarship:
Building a research and scholarly profile is an essential part of this position, which will include:
Conducting educational research and engaging in scholarship of quality and substance directly relevant to the field of early childhood education;
Generating external income or securing resources to support scholarly activity as necessary;
Disseminating research and scholarly outcomes through: peer reviewed publication; presentation at national and international conferences; preparation of professional reports as appropriate;
Building research capacity;
Fostering links with other institutions which will benefit both research and teaching at Maynooth University and Early Childhood Ireland;
Integrating research into the teaching curriculum;
Supervising research students.
Administrative and other duties:
This will include:
Assisting in the management and organisation of student placement in early education and care settings;
Outreach and engagement activities;
Collaborative work with external partners, in particular early childhood and care settings;
Undertaking administrative tasks as required
Attending and serving on committees as appropriate;
Attending courses and engaging in other activities associated with professional development as appropriate.
Carrying out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of an academic post.
Complying with all University and Early Childhood Ireland policies
The ideal candidate will have:
A PhD in a relevant discipline (Desirable)
A relevant post graduate qualification in Early Childhood Education (to at least Masters degree standard);
An understanding of Friedrich Froebel’s philosophy of education;
Extensive experience of working in early years practice and a thorough knowledge of the national frameworks Aistear (2009) and Síolta (2006);
A strong academic record in teaching and research incorporating innovative pedagogy and methodology;
A record of relevant scholarly work demonstrating potential to become a significant contributor in their field;
Experience of and a demonstrated commitment to the professional development of early years educators;
Experience of and a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, programme development and academic innovation;
Experience supervising research students;
Experience of, and commitment to, working in an interdisciplinary setting;
Good administrative, organisational, teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills;
Specialist knowledge in one of the following areas: psychology/child development OR Sociology to include knowledge of relevant policy OR curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood education
Proficiency in the Irish language (Desirable).
Selection and Appointment
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview;
Candidates invited for interview will be required to make a brief presentation;
The appointment is expected to be effective from September 2015.
Location
The successful applicant will be based at Early Childhood Ireland, Hainault House, Tallaght and at NUIM. You will be required to work at any other such place as ECI or NUIM may request. .
Terms and Conditions
The appointment will be made at Lecturer level, of which there are two grades: Lecturer and Assistant Lecturer.
Salary
Assistant Lecturer €31,400 – €49,770 p.a.
Candidates are reminded that they will be appointed as staff members of Early Childhood Ireland and on secondment to Maynooth University.
New entrants will be appointed on a point on the scale depending on experience and qualifications.
Application Procedure
Please ensure that you USE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE Assistant Lecturer in the subject line of your application email. This will clarify which role you are applying for.
Applications should be sent to Marion Brennan by email mbrennan@earlychildhoodireland.ie no later than 31st July at 5 pm to include a Curriculum Vitae, a covering letter addressing your interest and suitability for the role. Late applications will not be accepted.
The names, email addresses, correspondence addresses and telephone numbers of three who may be contacted, one of whom should be your most recent employer.