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Location Domestic International
Online Session 1 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

8

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Education

Unit aim

Focuses on students understanding, planning for and evaluating children’s learning in relation to children’s development, interests and abilities of preschool children (aged two to five years).  Consideration is given to the socio-cultural contexts of early childhood education and care, the physical and human environment for the learning, development and care of pre-schoolers. 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. Documenting for 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 & 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 Australia focusing on structure, the regulatory environment, philosophy, educational approach, educators’ roles and responsibilities.
2 Identify and evaluate ‘quality’ for preschool education in relation to: • relationships with children, families and the wider community • diversity • 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 • early childhood philosophy, policies and procedures as linked to the regulatory framework • the learning environment.
3 Analyse and demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in their professional experience setting
4 Plan 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 Identify and apply 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 Australia focusing on structure, the regulatory environment, philosophy, educational approach, educators’ roles and responsibilities.
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  2. Identify and evaluate ‘quality’ for preschool education in relation to: • relationships with children, families and the wider community • diversity • 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 • early childhood philosophy, policies and procedures as linked to the regulatory framework • the learning environment.
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  3. Analyse and demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in their professional experience setting
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  4. Plan 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. Identify and apply 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

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.