Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education (QMUC)

Campus Dalen

Retrospective glance at origin QUUC was established in 1947 QMCU was founded by an organisation within the Church and is today a private foundation built on Christian basic values. QMCU is 100% funded by the Norwegian state We have currently about appr. 1400 students, and 100 scientific employees.  We are located in Trondheim in Central Norway on a beautiful campus. After WW2 more and more children started in kindergartens – raising children was shared between the home and other institution and thereby a public responsibility (After WW2 more and more children started in kindergartens Bishops within the Norwegian State Church recognised the responsibility for these children and wanted to preserve the Christian culture heritage for the children in kindergartens.) 61 years where the main focus has been to take care of the children and their best interests (became the main focus after WW2 and) This particular focus is reflected in the foundation of, and the teaching at, Queen Maud’s College

Aim of the university college The main aim of the college is to train ECEC teachers  leading to Bachelor in Early Childhood Education and Care Furthermore the aim is to offer postgraduate courses in different topics, up to 1st degree level (BA)   We have now four master programs in ECEC: Leadership in ECEC Special education Child culture and arts education Early childood education in a changing society Another aim of the college is to promote and carry out research and developmental projects in Early Childhood Education. Some of the lecturers are engaged in research work in an international perspective. 

The bachelor in Early Childhood Education and Care is a 3 year full-time study course  Career prospect The bachelor degree qualify for all kinds of educational work with children aged 0-6 years It covers a wide range of subjects an addition to Early Childhood Education and Care. QMC offers 4 bachelor programmes in Early Childhood Education and Care. The teaching is mainly give in Norwegian.  Queen Maud's College offers a 12 week course taught in English in January-March/April for both incoming and outgoing exchange students.

Bachelor programmes ECEC teacher during the study students can choose half a year of specialization (30 ECTS) ECEC teacher within drama, arts and music ECEC teacher within nature and outdoor life ECEC teacher within multicultural understanding ECEC teacher, part time study (four years) ECEC teacher, work-based study

ECEC teacher within nature and outdoor life The subjects Science with environmental education, Physical education and health, and Pedagogy represents the main themes of this program The program has a focus on how to utilize outdoor spaces in the pedagogical practice in ECEC institutions and schools The emphasis is on providing students with skills in assessing the qualities of different nature, and how they in their work can active use the local environment to the children's play and learning. Each year is divided into three, so that the program is built around nine themes, a total of 180 credits. Childhood, Child development, Nature as the learning and experience arena (1. year) Working with children in kindergarten and school, Leadership, coordination and communication, Childcare Acquisitions (2. year) Local Culture and occupational role, Science, development in kindergarten and academic dissemination, Dissertation: Nautur and outdoor activities (3. year)

QMUC’s research groups QMUC’s research activity is thematically organized into five research groups: Childhood and cultural diversity (Managed by Professor Tora Korsvold) Spaces for play and learning (Managed by Professor Ellen Beate H. Sandseter) Management in ECEC institutions (Managed by Professor Kjell- Åge Gotvassli) Special education needs and early intervention (Managed by Professor Berit Groven) Child culture and arts education (Managed by Professor Marit Hopperstad).

Ellen Beate H. Sandseter Professor Has worked at Department of physical education and health, QMUC, for more than 18 years Coordinator for the master theme ECEC Institutions’ Physical and Psychosocial Environment Has conducted research on outdoor play and learning in ECEC, children’s risky play and safety/injury prevention in ECEC, children’s well-being and participation, environments for well- being, play and learning She has developed tools for teaching, practice development and research in many of her projects

Trond L. Hagen Associate professor Has worked at Department of physical education and health, QMUC, for more than 18 years Coordinator of the early childhood teacher education within nature and outdoor life Has conducted research on how children play outdoors, children’s level of physical activity in play in different environments, and other central issues within outdoor play and learning