Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
Feel that your purpose is helping children find their (little) feet in the world? Our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) will qualify you to teach children from 0-5 years of age. Learn how to keep tiny attention spans interested and prepare for a rewarding career in kindergartens, preschools, early learning centres and more. Discover how to respond to students and families of diverse cultures and backgrounds, including Indigenous cultures. Your course includes four units of placements, where you’ll have the chance to practise everything you’ve learned.
This course 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.
This course 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.
This course is delivered through Swinburne Online.
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Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This course is delivered through Swinburne Online. Swinburne Online delivers Swinburne University of Technology programs designed to meet the needs of those who are unable to undertake on-campus study. These programs have been specifically designed for online delivery and support.
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) prepares Pre-Service Teachers as early childhood teachers to work with children from birth to five years of age. Pre-Service Teachers will engage in units of study that will prepare them to act as professional early childhood practitioners and pedagogical leaders who collaborate with colleagues, children, families and communities.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate actively promoting professional behaviours in Early Childhood Education settings including value and respect for the diversity of individuals and cultures, including Indigenous cultures. Graduates will be eligible for employment in a range of early childhood settings, including children’s centres, kindergartens, preschools and early learning centres.
Course structure
To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching), students are required to complete 400 credit points comprising of 32 units of study (12.5 credit points each). The 400 credit points must comprise of:
- 24 units of core units of study (300 credit points)
- 4 placement units (50 credit points)
- 4 units comprising a minor or electives (50 credit points)
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.
Swinburne Online offers a flexible degree structure allowing students to adjust their study commitment throughout the duration of their program. Students have the flexibility to study between one and four units per teaching period.
Below are examples of study loads for Swinburne Online students:
Below are examples of study loads for Swinburne Online students:
- Accelerated study: 12 units of study per academic year
- Full-time study: eight units of study per academic year
- Part-time study: four units of study per academic year
- Recommended study: six units of study per academic year
Units of study
Core units
Students must complete the following 24 core units:
COM10003 Learning and Communicating Online (SOL students)
EDU10002 Understanding Language and Literacy
EDU10003 The World of Maths
EDU10004 Theories of Teaching and Learning
EDU10005 Indigenous Education and Perspectives
EDU10006 Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century
EDU10007 Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development for Early Childhood
EDU20001 Developing Literacy
EDU20002 Mathematics in Practice
EDU20004 Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
EDU20005 Sustainable Education and Perspectives
EDU30001 Imaging the World through Language and Literature
EDU30002 Science and Technology
EDU30004 Wellbeing and Resilience
EDU30005 Understanding and Supporting Inclusion
EDU30006 Families, Community and Citizenship
EDU30007 Imagining the World through the Arts
EDU30062 Educational Leadership, Management and Program Assessment *
EDU40001 The Healthy and Active Child
EDU40002 Play and Environment
EDU40003 Identity – The Early Childhood Profession(al) *
EDU40004 Advocacy and Social Justice *
EDU40020 Nature Pedagogies *
EDU40021 Achieving High Quality Early Learning *
Placement units
Students must complete the following 4 units:
EDU10001 Introduction to Curriculum Planning and Assessment Practicum
EDU20053 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment – Practicum
EDU30003 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants - Practicum 3E
EDU40006 Ready to Teach Early Childhood – Practicum 5E *
EDU20053 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment – Practicum
EDU30003 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants - Practicum 3E
EDU40006 Ready to Teach Early Childhood – Practicum 5E *
Electives
Students must complete 4 elective units
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the skills, knowledge and dispositions to be pedagogical leaders, effective advocates for social justice and equity, capable teachers of children from birth to five years in a variety of settings, and professionals whose practice is informed by critical reflection and ongoing learning.
Aims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this course 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.
Graduate skills
The Swinburne Graduate Attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses assist all its graduates to be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.
Professional recognition
This course meets the teaching registration requirements of both the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECOA).
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$16,496 | $4,124 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
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 prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (other than EAL) or at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Other Requirements
All applicants must sit and achieve an appropriate standard on a selection test used to assess an applicant’s non-academic personal and professional attributes.
All applicants must sit and achieve an appropriate standard on a selection test used to assess an applicant’s non-academic personal and professional attributes.
Admission to this course will consider both academic and non-academic results.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate suitable English language proficiency for successful completion of the course.
The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements. Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Working with Children Check and Police Check
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 a placement. View the list of each state's requirements.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in nursing and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.