Course summary

There is a very high demand for qualified early childhood educators in early childhood education centres and preschools. 
This three-year degree (or 2.5 years fast tracked*) is an ACECQA approved early childhood teacher qualification for early childhood settings with children from birth to five years. [Please check specific requirements in your state or territory for early childhood teachers.]
 
Our cutting-edge course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leading research in early childhood education and development. 
 
Core units cover early childhood principles and practices, child development theory and application, supporting children’s learning and pedagogical approaches for early childhood education. You will also investigate contemporary issues in early childhood education, leadership and management, the arts, and health and wellbeing in the early childhood environment.
 
You’ll complete 85 days of professional teaching experiences in early childhood education settings as well as 10 days in a primary school setting, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge in real world educational settings.
 
Full-time enrolment may require study in some years across the six study terms, from January to December.
 
*depending on course and specialisation pathway and term commencement.  
 
There is a very high demand for qualified early childhood educators in early childhood education centres and preschools. 
This three-year degree (or 2.5 years fast tracked*) is an ACECQA approved early childhood teacher qualification for early childhood settings with children from birth to five years. [Please check specific requirements in your state or territory for early childhood teachers.]
 
Our cutting-edge course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leading research in early childhood education and development. 
 
Core units cover early childhood principles and practices, child development theory and application, supporting children’s learning and pedagogical approaches for early childhood education. You will also investigate contemporary issues in early childhood education, leadership and management, the arts, and health and wellbeing in the early childhood environment.
 
You’ll complete 85 days of professional teaching experiences in early childhood education settings as well as 10 days in a primary school setting, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge in real world educational settings.
 
Full-time enrolment may require study in some years across the six study terms, from January to December.
 
*depending on course and specialisation pathway and term commencement.  
 

Core content areas cover:

  • Literacy, language and pedagogical approaches 
  • Issues in contemporary education
  • Leadership and management
  • Health and wellbeing in the early childhood environment.
 
Please note: Some units in this course are only delivered online and online students may need to attend on-campus workshops.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate analytical and critical skills to transform and disrupt thinking in early childhood educational based practice.

Demonstrate an understanding of diverse ways of knowing and learning in early childhood education settings to inform connected and compassionate ways of teaching.

Demonstrate an ability to identify and solve problems with intellectual independence.

Demonstrate an ability to develop innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in early childhood education settings.

Demonstrate a knowledge of social justice and ethical principles in early childhood education settings.

Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the early childhood education profession.

Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the early years curriculum framework and National Quality Standards.

Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective early childhood educational practice.

Demonstrate the capacity for self-reflective learning and critical thinking with responsibility and accountability in professional practice.

Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice.

Communicate clearly, coherently and independently with exposition of knowledge and ideas in both oral and written forms.

Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills in early childhood education settings.

Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons.

Demonstrate proactive and inclusive strategies for diverse groups in early childhood education settings

Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of the impacts of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of the students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

This course includes 85 days of professional experience learning in early childhood education settings, as well as 10 days in primary schools. As detailed in the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements, prerequisites regarding national and state-based regulatory requirements must be met prior to commencing professional experience placements. All professional experience learning days must be completed for graduation, with professional behaviour and conduct upheld at all times.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

Assessment of early childhood teachers differs for each state and territory in Australia. Check with your state-based accreditation authorities regarding status as an early childhood teacher.


Course overview

Course code

3007003

Course abbreviation

BECE

Credit points

288

Equivalent units

24

Duration

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported


International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Term 1 $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) 110055C

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, students must complete the equivalent of 28 units (288 credit points), comprising:
  • 24 core units (288 credit points)
  • 4 Professional Experience units (0 credit points)
Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will at all times be at the discretion of the Executive Dean.
 
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Associate Degree of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising 16 core units.
 
Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Interdisciplinary Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units.
 
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

 


Schedule of units

Title Note

Core Units -students must undertake all of the following.

EDUC1003 - Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
ENGL1005 - Foundations of English and Literacy: More than Words
MATH1002 - Foundations of Mathematics and Numeracy: Numbers that Count
EDUC1006 - Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line Note 2
SCIN1006 - Science and Technology: All Things Matter
CRTV1001 - Creativity and the Arts
TCHR1002 - Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
HLTH1002 - PDHPE: Mind, Body and Soul
CLST1002 - HSIE: The Universe Next Door
TCHR1001 - Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2008 - Theory to practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR2003 - Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
EDUC1004 - Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
EDUC6009 - Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
EDUC2021 - Storylines: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
TCHR2010 - Theory to Practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
EDUC3023 - Inclusive and Special Education: The Responsive Teacher
TCHR3001 - Early Childhood Matters
TCHR6007 - Creative Arts for Early Childhood Education
TCHR6006 - Health, Wellbeing and the Environment in Early Childhood Education
EDUC2020 - Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
TCHR2002 - Children, Families and Communities
EDUC3024 - Education and the Environment: More than Human
TCHR3004 - Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
TCHR2007 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood I Note 1
TCHR2011 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood II Note 1
TCHR2013 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood III Note 1
TCHR3010 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood IV Note 1

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Title Note

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

EDUC1003 - Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
ENGL1005 - Foundations of English and Literacy: More than Words
MATH1002 - Foundations of Mathematics and Numeracy: Numbers that Count
SCIN1006 - Science and Technology: All Things Matter
EDUC1006 - Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
HLTH1002 - PDHPE: Mind, Body and Soul
CLST1002 - HSIE: The Universe Next Door
CRTV1001 - Creativity and the Arts

Second Year

TCHR1001 - Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
EDUC6009 - Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
EDUC2020 - Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
EDUC1004 - Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
TCHR2008 - Theory to practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR2007 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood I Note 1
TCHR2003 - Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
TCHR1002 - Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2011 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood II Note 1
TCHR2010 - Theory to Practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers

Third Year

EDUC3023 - Inclusive and Special Education: The Responsive Teacher
TCHR3001 - Early Childhood Matters
TCHR6007 - Creative Arts for Early Childhood Education
TCHR2013 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood III Note 1
TCHR6006 - Health, Wellbeing and the Environment in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2002 - Children, Families and Communities
EDUC2021 - Storylines: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
TCHR3010 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood IV Note 1
TCHR3004 - Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
EDUC3024 - Education and the Environment: More than Human

Notes

Note 1: This unit involves a professional experience placement.
Note 2: This unit involves observation days.