In light of the growing skills demand in the Early Years Childcare Sector, Monaghan VEC, in partnership with County Monaghan Childcare Committee, The Border Counties Childcare Network, Stranmillis University College Belfast and Queen's University Armagh, will run a BA Degree programme in Early Childhood Studies. The course will run over four years on a part-time basis. It will target childcare practitioners from rural and marginalised communities who are keen to atttain formal qualifications in their profession Achievements: Childcare practitioners from Co Monaghan recently completed a four year BA in Early Childhood Studies and went on to graduate from Queens University Belfast. The project was developed by Co Monaghan VEC, Monaghan County Childcare Committee, The Border Counties Childcare Network and Stranmillis University College Belfast and involved the delivery by Stranmillis personnel of a four-year part-time BA in Early Childhood Studies programme at MIFET (Monaghan Institute of Further Education & Training).The EU funding enabled the project partners to bring this highly regarded degree programme to Monaghan and the first year of the course began in Sept 2004. In total, 24 childcare practitioners from North and South completed the degree programme.The project had many strengths, most notably the structure of the programme, its impact on practice, the course content, its delivery and the peer support available to students. The most fundamental strength highlighted was the actual existence of this programme in the border region and the opportunity this provided for childcare workers. The EU funding made the BA programme accessible and affordable to childcare practitioners who otherwise may not have been able to participate.There was unanimous agreement among the students that the course benefited them both ersonally and in their workplace. Many outlined that the training gave them increased confidence and self esteem. Their personal knowledge and skills also increased and it opened up career prospects for those participating. Indeed since starting the course, six participants have progressed in their careers.Many of the students outlined that the knowledge they gained made them better able to carry out their role in their workplace. The course content was very relevant to everyday work in childcare settings and a number outlined that they have implemented positive changes to their work practice and work environment as a result of what they learnt. This will have resulted in improved quality of childcare service provision in the border area. Based on the success of the programme and the high level of interest in the project, it is planned to run the Degree (and Diploma) in Early Childhood Studies in autumn 2008.