B.Ed. Nursery and Primary

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Education > Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling > B.Ed. Nursery and Primary

The B.Ed. Nursery and Primary programme is designed to prepare you to teach and support children in the foundational stages of their education. The programme equips you with the knowledge, teaching skills and professional competence required to guide learners in nursery and primary school environments. You will study child development, early literacy and numeracy, basic science, social living, classroom organisation and instructional strategies appropriate for young learners.

Your training focuses on helping you understand how children think, learn and interact, while developing the ability to create safe, inclusive and stimulating classrooms. You will also learn how to design age-appropriate learning materials, manage behavioural challenges and support pupils’ physical, emotional and academic development. This programme provides the foundation you need to become an effective early-years and primary educator capable of shaping learners’ long-term academic success.

Course Overview

The B.Ed. Nursery and Primary programme offers a comprehensive blend of early childhood education, primary pedagogy and teacher preparation. You will explore subjects such as foundational literacy and numeracy, children’s literature, basic science concepts, civic education, mathematics education, social studies, language development and classroom assessment.

The programme runs for four years through UTME and three years through Direct Entry.
Throughout your studies, you will engage in micro-teaching, school-based experience, creative workshops, teaching practice and early-years instructional simulations. These experiences help you apply your knowledge in real classrooms and develop confidence in managing nursery and primary school learners.

Course Curriculum

The curriculum follows the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS)

You begin with general and foundational courses such as:

  1. Introduction to Early Childhood and Primary Education
  2. Child Growth and Development
  3. Communication in English
  4. Study Skills
  5. Foundations of Education
  6. Nigerian Peoples and Culture
  7. General Psychology

You expand your understanding of primary education through courses such as:

  1. Early Childhood and Primary Curriculum
  2. Basic Science and Technology Education
  3. Mathematics Education
  4. Language Development in Children
  5. Educational Technology
  6. Sociology of Education

Your professional practice deepens through courses such as:

  1. Methods of Teaching Primary School Subjects
  2. Children’s Literature and Creative Expression
  3. Classroom Management in Primary Education
  4. Assessment of Learning in Young Children
  5. Research Methods in Education
  6. Guidance and Behaviour Management

You gain advanced experience through:

  1. Seminar in Nursery and Primary Education
  2. Teaching Practice
  3. Advanced Methods in Primary Instruction
  4. Inclusive Education
  5. Research Project

Entry Requirements

To gain admission into the B.Ed. Nursery and Primary programme, you must satisfy one of the following entry pathways:

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)

  1. You must have at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics and any other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant subjects.
  3. Meet the departmental and university cut-off marks.
  4. Demonstrate interest and aptitude for early-years teaching, child development and foundational education.
  5. Satisfy all other general admission requirements of the University.

2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)

  1. You must have five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Social Sciences or related fields with at least a merit or credit grade.
  3. Hold Advanced Level passes in relevant subjects.
  4. Provide academic transcripts and supporting documents during the application.
  5. Meet the University’s general Direct Entry admission regulations.

Why study at OOU?

Studying Nursery and Primary Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University gives you the strong professional foundation required to teach young learners effectively and support their early growth. The programme emphasises child-centred pedagogy, inclusive education, creative learning and classroom leadership. You will benefit from:

  1. A balanced curriculum that integrates early childhood theories, primary subject pedagogy and practical teaching skills.
  2. Micro-teaching practice, classroom simulations and extensive school-based experience.
  3. Training in developing literacy, numeracy, creativity and basic science concepts in young learners.
  4. Expert lecturers with specialisations in early childhood studies, primary education and child development.
  5. Hands-on exposure to children’s literature, storytelling, educational technology and behaviour management.
  6. Opportunities to learn how to design learning materials and manage diverse classroom needs.

This programme empowers you to shape children’s earliest learning experiences and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian basic education system.

Research Project

In your final year, you will undertake a research project that enables you to investigate issues related to child learning, instructional strategies, behavioural patterns or classroom organisation. This project strengthens your research and problem-solving abilities while helping you understand how theory applies to real classroom situations. Working with your supervisor, you will:

  1. Select a topic related to early childhood development, literacy, numeracy, classroom management, or learning assessment.
  2. Use appropriate research tools such as observation, interviews, surveys or case studies.
  3. Analyse data related to children’s learning behaviour, teaching effectiveness or classroom environments.
  4. Present your findings in a clearly structured and academically rigorous project report.

Your research project represents the culmination of your teacher training and prepares you for professional practice and further academic study.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Education in Nursery and Primary Education, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Academic Requirements

  1. Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses in the programme.
  2. Earn the minimum credit units prescribed for the four-year degree (UTME) or three-year degree (Direct Entry).
  3. Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.00.
  4. Complete and defend your final-year research project.
  5. Fulfil all teaching practice, micro-teaching and school-based field experience requirements.

Grading and Degree Classification

Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:

Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Ed. Nursery and Primary Education, a qualification that prepares you to nurture children’s early learning, contribute to foundational education and support effective teaching in nursery and primary schools.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Nursery and Primary Education provides you with the professional skills to work effectively with young learners in early childhood and basic education settings. Your training prepares you to design engaging lessons, support pupil development and manage classroom activities across a variety of professional environments.

You may pursue careers such as:

  1. Nursery school teacher
  2. Primary school teacher
  3. Early childhood educator
  4. Classroom assistant
  5. Learning support officer
  6. School administrator (entry level)
  7. Childcare centre facilitator
  8. Educational resource developer
  9. Curriculum support assistant
  10. Community education worker

You may find employment in:

  1. Public and private nursery and primary schools
  2. Early childhood learning centres
  3. Daycare and childcare centres
  4. Ministries and agencies responsible for basic education
  5. NGOs and community-based organisations
  6. Faith-based educational programmes
  7. Educational publishing or instructional content development firms

This programme also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Curriculum Studies, Educational Psychology and related fields.

How to Apply?

UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)

  1. Select Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first choice and Nursery and Primary Education as your preferred programme.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects.
  3. Possess at least five O-Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and other acceptable subjects.
  4. Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.

Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)

  1. Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education or related fields with at least a merit or credit grade.
  2. Possess the required O-Level credit passes.
  3. Upload your academic transcripts and supporting documents through the OOU Undergraduate Admissions Portal.

You may begin your application or check your admission progress through the University’s official admissions portal.

Course Coordinator

The B.Ed. Nursery and Primary Education programme is managed by a team of dedicated academics and experienced researchers within the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Faculty of Education.

The current programme coordinator is:

Dr [Full Name]

Contact Information:

  • Email:  
  • Phone: 
  • Office: 

Course Overview

  1. Next Admission Process
  2. Current Academic Year
  3. Associated programmes = Undergraduate
  4. Course Duration = 4 Years
  5. Degree = Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
  6. Faculty = Education
  7. Course Type = Full Time
  8. Course Delivery = On campus.
  9. Location = Faculty of Education, Main Campus.
  10. Scholarship opportunities