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Online Session 2 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Education

Pre-requisites

TCH10517 - Early Childhood Principles and Practice AND 48 credit points in any SCU units

Unit aim

Focuses on students' understanding developmental patterns, interests and abilities of preschool children (two to five years), the contexts of education and care, the implementation of care routines and planning cycles for the learning, development and care of preschoolers, in the context of their families. Students will undertake professional experience in early childhood settings catering for children two to five years and their families.

Unit content

1. Practical perspectives of pedagogy: the notion of quality
2. Relationships with children and families
3. Principles and practices for documenting learning and development
4. Documentation to support program planning
5. Teaching strategies to support learning and children's safety
6. Teaching strategies to support pro-social competencies
7. Health and safety for children and staff
8. Reflecting on practice
9. Roles and responsibilities for early childhood professionals
10. Bringing it all together for professional experiences.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 analyse the contexts of preschool education and care in terms of their structure, philosophy, educational approach, educators' roles and responsibilities
2 evaluate and reflect on the notion of 'quality' for preschool education in relation to: a. relationships with children, families and the wider community b. diversity c. educational programs including the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Australian state curriculum frameworks, and educational approaches to learning models used in early childhood programs d. early childhood philosophy, policies and procedures as linked to the regulatory framework
3 demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in their professional experience setting and commitment to and engagement with the unit content and associated activities
4 demonstrate their ability to develop and implement an appropriate early childhood educational program for children aged 2-5 years through observation, documentation and assessment, of children's learning and development
5 demonstrate an understanding of professional skills to support children's pro-social development and competencies.
6 demonstrate appropriate care routines for young children including health and safety for children and workplace health and safety for staff
7 critically reflect on their own and colleagues' professional skills and approaches towards early childhood education.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. analyse the contexts of preschool education and care in terms of their structure, philosophy, educational approach, educators' roles and responsibilities
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  2. evaluate and reflect on the notion of 'quality' for preschool education in relation to: a. relationships with children, families and the wider community b. diversity c. educational programs including the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Australian state curriculum frameworks, and educational approaches to learning models used in early childhood programs d. early childhood philosophy, policies and procedures as linked to the regulatory framework
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  3. demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in their professional experience setting and commitment to and engagement with the unit content and associated activities
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  4. demonstrate their ability to develop and implement an appropriate early childhood educational program for children aged 2-5 years through observation, documentation and assessment, of children's learning and development
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  5. demonstrate an understanding of professional skills to support children's pro-social development and competencies.
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  6. demonstrate appropriate care routines for young children including health and safety for children and workplace health and safety for staff
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  7. critically reflect on their own and colleagues' professional skills and approaches towards early childhood education.
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:

Prescribed texts

  • Arthur, L, Beecher, B, Death, E, Dockett, S & Farmer, S, 2015, Programming and planning in early childhood settings, 6th edn, Thomson, Melbourne, Vic. ISBN: 9780170264105.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.