Early Childhood Education

Outline Outline

This initial teacher education degree provides the skills, knowledge and practical learning experiences needed to teach young children (aged from birth to eight years) in early education settings. These include children's education and care services, kindergarten, pre-primary and junior primary classes.

You will learn about child development, the curriculum areas and the importance of family partnerships. You'll also choose two elective units from a list of education subjects to broaden your learning.

As part of the course you'll complete four professional work experience placements in schools or early learning centres. These placements are undertaken in full-time blocks, regardless of your study mode. You may have the opportunity to undertake a rural, interstate or overseas placement.

Teaching placements

You will complete 840 hours of supervised teaching practice during the course, which includes:

• Year 2: a three-week full-time block
• Year 3: five one-day visits plus a three-week full-time block, and a four-week full-time block
• Year 4: a block of one full school term (typically 10 weeks).

Before you apply

You will need to submit a non-academic statement with your course application to be considered for entry to this degree.

How this course will make you industry ready

• Your learning will address the specific needs of early childhood educators, ensuring you graduate with the competencies required to be a successful teacher.
• All units are mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority Framework.
• You will build a professional digital portfolio that showcases your teaching abilities to potential employers.
• You will complete 21 weeks of teaching practice over the course of your studies, including a 10-week internship where you will take responsibility for a class of children under the mentorship of a qualified teacher.

What you'll learn

• apply high-level discipline knowledge, principles and concepts associated with effective teaching of children from birth to 8 years
• draw from theory and research to apply knowledge of the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and across the full range of abilities to enhance learning
• assess student learning and analyse diverse sources of data to support valid judgements of student learning
• plan and deliver effective teaching and learning experiences with demonstrated impact
• use technologies appropriately for learning and teaching
• engage in professional learning and demonstrate capacity for leadership; demonstrate personal literacy and numeracy competencies to the required accreditation standard
• engage in critical and reflective practice based on local, national and international research
• create and manage positive learning environments for all students, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds