The B.A. (Ed.) Early Child Education programme is designed to prepare you to teach, guide and support children from birth to age eight through developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The programme equips you with a strong understanding of child development, early learning theories, play-based instruction, behaviour guidance and family-school relationships.
You will explore how young children grow cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically, while learning effective strategies for creating safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environments. Through this training, you will gain the competence to nurture foundational literacy, numeracy, creativity and social skills in young learners, contributing to their long-term academic and personal success.
Course Overview
The programme integrates early childhood content knowledge with professional teacher preparation, enabling you to understand children’s developmental needs and how to design learning activities that support their growth. You will study child psychology, early childhood curriculum, classroom management, storytelling, creativity, assessment of young children and inclusive education. Alongside this, you will develop professional skills in lesson planning, instructional methods, educational technology and classroom observation.
The B.A. (Ed.) Early Child Education degree runs for four years through UTME and three years through Direct Entry. Throughout your study, you will participate in school observation exercises, micro-teaching, creative workshops, play-based learning activities and teaching practice, giving you hands-on experience in early childhood education settings.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum covers child development, early learning, creativity and teacher education across 100–400 levels.
You begin with foundational concepts such as:
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Child Growth and Development
- Communication in English
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture
- Study Skills
- Foundations of Education
- Introduction to Psychology
You explore key areas in early childhood learning and development through courses such as:
- Early Childhood Curriculum
- Creativity and Play in Early Childhood
- Sociology of Education
- Health, Nutrition and Safety in Early Childhood
- Educational Technology
- Curriculum Studies
Your professional competency deepens through courses such as:
- Methods of Teaching Early Childhood Education
- Children’s Literature and Storytelling
- Classroom Management in Early Childhood Settings
- Measurement and Evaluation
- Educational Research Methods
- Inclusive Education
You integrate advanced professional skills through courses such as:
- Guidance and Behaviour Management in Early Childhood
- Assessment of Young Children
- Teaching Practice
- Seminar in Early Childhood Education
- Research Project
Entry Requirements
To gain admission into the B.A. (Ed.) Early Child Education programme, you must satisfy one of the following entry pathways:
1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)
- 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.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant subjects.
- Meet the departmental and university cut-off marks.
- Demonstrate interest and aptitude for child development, early learning and teaching young children.
- Satisfy all other general admission requirements of the University.
2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)
- You must have five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- 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.
- Hold Advanced Level passes in relevant subjects.
- Provide academic transcripts and supporting documents during the application.
- Meet the University’s general Direct Entry admission regulations.
Why study at OOU?
Studying Early Child Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University gives you the specialised knowledge and practical experience needed to lay strong learning foundations for children in their most formative years. The programme emphasises holistic child development and equips you with the skills to create nurturing and stimulating learning environments. You will benefit from:
- A curriculum focused on child growth, early learning, creativity and responsive teaching.
- Practical experiences through school observation, micro-teaching, storytelling, creative workshops and full teaching practice.
- Training in designing age-appropriate learning materials and managing early childhood classrooms.
- Experienced lecturers with backgrounds in early childhood studies, child psychology and teacher education.
- Opportunities to explore inclusive education, behaviour guidance and family-school partnerships.
- Strong preparation for careers in early learning, basic education, childcare management and curriculum development.
This programme equips you to support children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development while contributing meaningfully to early education and community wellbeing.
Research Project
In your final year, you will complete a research project that allows you to investigate an important issue in early childhood learning, classroom interaction, child development or instructional methods. This project develops your ability to observe children, evaluate early learning practices and propose improvements. Working with your supervisor, you will:
- Select a topic in areas such as child development, early learning strategies, storytelling, classroom management or assessment.
- Apply appropriate research methods, including observation, interviews, surveys or case studies.
- Analyse data on children’s learning behaviour, developmental patterns or school environments.
- Present your findings in a structured, academically sound project report.
Your research project brings together your content knowledge and practical experience, preparing you for professional roles in teaching, childcare, administration and further studies.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts in Education (Early Child Education), you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Academic Requirements
- Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses in the programme.
- Earn the minimum credit units prescribed for the four-year degree (UTME) or three-year degree (Direct Entry).
- Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.00.
- Complete and defend your final-year research project.
- 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.A. (Ed.) Early Child Education, a degree that prepares you to support early learning, nurture young children’s development and contribute to high-quality foundational education.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Early Child Education equips you with the specialised skills to work in early learning environments, childcare systems and primary education settings. You are trained to understand children’s needs, design developmentally appropriate learning experiences and collaborate with families and communities.
You may pursue careers such as:
- Early childhood educator
- Nursery or kindergarten teacher
- Childcare centre administrator
- Early years curriculum developer
- Play-based learning specialist
- Classroom assistant or learning facilitator
- Community caregiver or outreach officer
- Early childhood advocacy and welfare assistant
- Educational resource developer
- School administrator (entry level)
You may find employment in:
- Public and private nursery and kindergarten schools
- Early childhood learning centres
- Daycare and childcare centres
- Ministries and agencies focused on education, youth and social development
- NGOs and community-based organisations
- Faith-based early learning programmes
- Educational publishing and content development firms
The programme also prepares you for postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Educational Psychology, Curriculum Studies and related fields.
How to Apply?
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)
- Select Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first choice and Early Child Education as your preferred programme.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language and other appropriate Arts or Social Science subjects.
- Possess at least five O-Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and other acceptable subjects.
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)
- Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education or related fields with at least a merit or credit grade.
- Possess the required O-Level credit passes.
- 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.A. (Ed.) Early Child 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
- Next Admission Process
- Current Academic Year
- Associated programmes = Undergraduate
- Course Duration = 4 Years
- Degree = Bachelor of Arts Education (B.A. (Ed.))
- Faculty = Education
- Course Type = Full Time
- Course Delivery = On campus.
- Location = Faculty of Education, Main Campus.
- Scholarship opportunities