Early Childhood Teaching

The Area of Study

The importance of the education of children (from birth to eight years) is increasingly recognised. Early childhood is seen as the time of most rapid and crucial development for children. The Institute of Early Childhood educates students to work as directors and teachers in child care centres and pre-schools, and as teachers in schools from Kindergarten to Year 2.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) degree is a teaching qualification which is currently required if career aspirations include working as the teacher in charge in a variety of early childhood settings. The units of study in this degree program consider the development of children (including those with disabilities) within the family and social contexts; current methods of teaching literacy, mathematics, science, technology and the arts. Health, approaches to research and the management skills needed to work effectively in schools and to run childcare centres are also part of the program. All years incorporate supervised practical experience in a wide variety of early childhood settings.
An Honours option is available for those students who achieve a nominated GPA (grade point average) at the end of their second year of study.

Existing degree qualifications can also be extended within the undergraduate program by completing one of three Graduate Diplomas in Early Childhood. One is designed for qualified primary school teachers who would like to teach the younger age group (birth to five years). Another is designed for those interested in working with children with special needs, while the third option is designed for those wishing to advance their studies in early childhood. It is especially useful for those B Teach (Early Childhood Services) graduates who wish to add a fourth year to their undergraduate degree.

Students with a Diploma in Community Services (Centre Based Care) or the Associate Diploma in Social Science (Child Care) may apply for credit for previous studies in the program. Students with other qualifications may also be eligible for credit.

The BEd (ECE) is offered on a distance (external) basis as well as internally. The full distance program, however, is only available to applicants who hold a previous teaching qualification or who hold the TAFE Associate Diploma in Social Science (Child Care) or the Diploma in Community Services (Centre Based Care) or equivalent. Students without these qualifications must be able to attend internal classes on a weekly basis for some units.

The Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Services) is a program designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students only. Students interested in this program should contact Warawara on (02) 9850 8893 for more information.

Further Information: