November 21 Monday
Early childhood is the age at which the foundations of a child’s abilities are laid, his physical and mental health is built, his character is formed and he acquires social skills. The educational care of this age is a very responsible mission, which requires professionals with high scientific and intellectual abilities.
The BA Early Childhood Care and Education program specializes in early childhood care and education. The emerging language and mathematical abilities of the child, the function of the senses, the expression, the movement, the communication, the stages of socialization, the transition from family life to the school environment, the mental and moral development, the creativity and the possible spiritual ones are explored. or physical disorders in its development. Students are trained to use appropriate pedagogical “tools” that include play, creative arts, literature and theater, nature exploration, music and movement. At the same time, the observer and communication skills of the educator are sharpened so that he can evaluate, support the rights of children and provide counseling services to the family.
Graduates of the BA Early Childhood Care and Education program have many career options: in daycare and preschool units, as special education professionals, psychologists / educational psychologists, family therapists, school psychologists, researchers in related fields, educational policy advisors , experts in advocating for the rights of children and the family, in positions of educational counseling, educational leadership, in-house services, and even in companies specializing in products for young children, such as creative toys and educational materials.
They can also pursue postgraduate studies in areas such as child development, educational psychology, learning disabilities and the education of children with disabilities, learning outdoors, learning through play and the expressive arts, school psychology, developmental psychology, occupational therapy, etc.
The demand for holders of a degree in Preschool Care and Education / Preschool Education is high, both in Greece and internationally. Especially in Greece, according to data from the European Commission (2019) and the OECD (2021), the level of participation of 3-year-olds in pre-school education is still lower than the EU average. (30.4% and 34.2% respectively). It is estimated that in our country about 180,000 children are left out of childcare due to lack of available places. As the state promotes preschool care, the number of kindergartens and nurseries, both private and public, is expected to increase significantly. The BCA graduates hold a degree from the award-winning University of West London, which is internationally recognized and is professionally equivalent to the degrees of Greek universities, giving graduates of Early Childhood Care and Education the opportunity to work in Greek Public Education.
The professional prospects of the graduates of the department are enhanced by the services of the Career Office of BCA which connects students and graduates with the labor market.
October for the Fall Semester or
February for the Spring Semester
4 years for October or February entry
3 years for October or February entry, for those students who have a high school certificate (apolytirion) 15 or above and recognized English certificates (B2+ and above).
Morning or/and evening classes
1st and 2nd Year: Either English or Greek
3rd and 4th Year 4: English or
All years in English
The teaching is enriched by lectures of distinguished professionals and researchers from all fields of preschool education and care: teachers, social workers, special education professionals, psychologists and educational psychologists, family therapists, school psychologists, etc.
Seminars are offered in specific thematic areas in collaboration with specialized organizations, such as: Herma – specializing in play therapy, Twende Dance Project – specializing in movement and therapy, and more.
BCA, through its partnership with Melina’s Kindergarten, ISA – Athens International School and other model schools across the country, enables students to gain valuable work experience and enrich their CV while studying at undergraduate level .
Cultivation of additional skills: the program increases the employability opportunities of graduates, as it equips them with other than pedagogical, research and administrative skills, such as the use of information technology to find and analyze information, statistical research and leadership skills.
Foreign languages: The program offers participants the opportunity to perfect their English and learn at least one more foreign language.
IT skills: Students acquire good knowledge of technology and IT such as programming, web design and data management, which are vital to their professional development.
Studying at BCA, you live in Greece but you are exposed to the learning experience designed and provided by a high-level British or Swiss University and you are awarded the same, Bachelor & Master degrees, awarded to UK and Swiss students., which are recognized in the Greek and international labor market. In addition, you will benefit from the digital technology with the specialized online educational platforms developed by BCA and incorporated into the Blended Learning philosophy.
The successful course of BCA is certified by the multiple awards it has received during the years of its educational operation. One of the most important prizes was its announcement of being the “COLLEGE OF THE YEAR”, awarded by the Education Leaders Awards Special Committee. More information on the BCA College Awards can be found here.
The programmes of study provided by BCA College are further enriched with industrial visits, seminars and lectures organised during the year in parallel with the curriculum. These co-curricular activities bridge the academic theory taught in classrooms with current professional practice, transfer students’ know-how and expertise in real time, and connect them with renowned executives, entrepreneurs, and people with key positions in their field.
An indicative applicant should possess an Apolytirion of at least 12 or IB Diploma or equivalent. However, we would welcome students to apply who have an Apolytirion of less than 12 provided that their marks on relevant subjects achieved prior to the panhellenic exams in the final year of schooling are at the level of 12 or above. Interviews will be conducted, and applicants will be considered for their overall ability to attend the programme alongside all the above grades.
Applicants have the option of attending the first 2 years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend the first year in English are required to submit one of the following certifications:
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies (Level 4) as long as the grade of their high school certificate (apolytirion) is 17 or above.
Applicants have the option of attending the first two years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the following certifications:
International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduates
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies ( Level 4) as long as the grade of their Diploma is 28 and above including at least 15 at higher level. IB students meet the English language entry requirements if they attain a minimum of 4 points in English at higher level. Those who do not have at least 4 points in English and wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the above English certifications.
Dr. Touloumakou graduated with a degree in Philosophy, Education and Psychology (major in Psychology) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also completed an MA in Educational Psychology/Psychometrics at New York University, NY, US as a scholar of Stamatis Foundation, and an MSc in Counselling & Career Guidance at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. After working for some time with European and Nationally funded research projects, she completed her PhD (DPhil) in Educational Psychology, at the SKOPE Centre, University of Oxford, UK as a scholar of the State Scholarship Foundation and the Economics and Social Research Council.
She undertook post-doctoral research regarding language skills among children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) who live in institutions (compared to matched peers) as a State Scholarship Foundation scholar between 2017-2019, at the Department of Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Touloumakou has been teaching Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychopathology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences since 2016. She specialises in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools to support children with ACEs.
| Award | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cert HE |
Certificate of Higher Education Early Childhood Care and Education |
Participants need to obtain 120 credit points |
| Dip HE |
Diploma of Higher Education Childhood Care and Education |
Participants need to obtain 240 credit points |
| Ordinary degree |
Ordinary Degree BA Childhood Care and Education |
Participants need to obtain 300 credit points |
| BA |
BA (Hons) Childhood Care and Education |
Participants need to obtain 360 credit points |
All undergraduate programmes, in addition to the Bachelor’s degree, also offer intermediate-supplementary undergraduate awards, such as the Higher Education Certificate and the Higher Education Diploma. These undergraduate titles, which can also be obtained with a degree or honors, are awarded to those students who have completed a part of the undergraduate course.