Course Overview
For young children, the time leading up to entering primary school is an important one, in which a child grows both physically and mentally, and cognitive skills develop at a faster rate than at any other time of life. Early childhood teachers play a vital role in shaping young minds.
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) is accredited by the leading industry body, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Upon graduation, you will be qualified to teach in the pre-primary school early childhood education sector, with the flexibility to work in a range of settings including children’s centres, kindergartens, preschools and early learning centres.
Completed over four years (or part-time equivalent), you will develop a foundation in educational theory, literacy and numeracy, and build the practical skills and techniques you need to manage a classroom and the specific needs of pre-primary aged children. You will have the opportunity to implement these techniques in your practicums and fourth-year work placements.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Early Childhood Teaching Director
- Early Childhood Service Manager
What You'll Learn
- Classroom Management Techniques
- Practical Skills for Early Childhood Teaching
- Curriculum Planning
- Child Behaviour
- Health and Activity
- Twenty-first Century Teaching
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration and Study Load
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Delivery
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) students must complete 400 credit points:
- Twenty-four Core Units of Study (300 credit points)
- Four Placement units (50 credit points)
- Four units (50 credit points) comprising a minor or electives
Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between minors, students must choose an approved alternative.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
One of:
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
Course Prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Non-year 12 entry
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply
- Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units
- Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success
Other requirements
- All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority
- A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to placement
Course Features
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Show broad and coherent knowledge of children aged 0-5 years, notably in relation to how they learn, with comprehensive knowledge of early childhood curriculum and quality frameworks within the Australian context
- Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning in diverse early childhood contexts, showing appropriate initiative and judgment
- Apply knowledge and skills to create and maintain supportive, safe and engaging learning environments, with an ability to critically analyse information in diverse early childhood contexts
- Critically review and apply theory to practice, showing initiative and informed judgment in decision making and problem-solving
- Assess children’s learning and use clear communication to report outcomes to parents and communities through critically analysing, consolidating and synthesising assessment information
- Articulate a deep knowledge of the early childhood profession that is informed by critical thinking and synthesis of theoretical and practical knowledge and ongoing professional learning
- Collaborate respectfully with colleagues, families and children, with communication skills that present clear, coherent and current knowledge
- Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of the principles of diversity and difference and the implications to children’s rights and inclusive practice, and have the ability to adapt such knowledge in diverse contexts
Subjects
About Swinburne Online
Swinburne Online is a digital education portal that delivers online university and TAFE courses on behalf of Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology (RTO 3059), one of Australia’s leading educational institutions with over 30,000 students.
Offering a wide range of highly engaging and productive university courses online, Swinburne Online’s students have the opportunity to receive the same qualifications as those attending Swinburne University of Technology.
The difference is that learning is done online, so instead of coming onto campus, Swinburne Online students can study any time, anywhere, through an innovative and easy to use digital portal.