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2 Years
Practicum and Classroom (includes 45 days / 360 hours professional placement in child care and kindergarten settings)
Full time / Part time · Timetable is 2 days per week, 9am to 5pm
February | July
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Preston Campus, Melbourne Polytechnic, Preston VIC
377 Waterdale Rd, Heidelberg West, VIC 3081
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedCourse Content
Philosophies and Theories of Teaching and Learning
An introduction to education through investigation of the early years of education's historical, philosophical, political and sociological bases and its intersections with broader curriculum theory and praxis.
Curriculum Approaches in Education
An exploration of curriculum theory and how curriculum development principles intersect with concepts of individual and group dynamics in learning to support equitable educational outcomes for children across diverse contexts.
Introduction to Wellbeing
Covers the range of factors that influence children's growth, learning and development with a focus on social and emotional behaviour, including practices, strategies and experiences which promote wellbeing.
Play-Based Pedagogies
An introduction to curriculum theory and praxis that critically examines play-based learning as a pedagogical approach in early years education.
Language, Literacy and Communication (Birth – 8)
Investigates how language and emergent literacy develop in infants and young children from birth to 8 years, including theories and approaches to supporting early language and literacy development.
Global Perspectives and Comparative Education
Introduces the global context of early childhood education, educational debates, changes and reforms, both locally and globally.
The Arts in Early Childhood Education
Early Years Mathematics
Number and Algebra
Exploring Science & Technology in the Early Years
Australian Indigenous Education
English in Early Primary (F - 2)
Critical Education in a Global World
The Emerging Professional - Childcare 15 days birth – 3 years
Placement unit: 15 days birth to 3 years in childcare settings.
The Evolving Professional - Childcare 10 days 3-5
Placement unit: 10 days in childcare settings for children aged 3-5 years.
The Dynamic Professional - Kindergarten 15 days 3-5 years
Placement unit: 15 days in kindergarten settings for children aged 3-5 years. Required for students wishing to exit with the Associate Degree or transfer to Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
The Evolving Professional – Primary 10 days
Placement unit: 10 days in primary settings. Required for students wishing to transfer to Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary).
Common Questions
The course includes a practicum component of 45 days (360 hours) of professional placement in child care and kindergarten settings. This includes 15 days birth to 3 years (EPX102), 10 days in 3-5 childcare settings (EPX201), and either 15 days in kindergarten (EPX302) for those exiting with the Associate Degree or transferring to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, or 10 days in primary settings (EPX202) for those transferring to the Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary).
Yes. The Associate Degree of Early Years Studies is both a pathway into and an embedded exit point for the Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary). Once you successfully complete the Associate Degree, you may apply to complete the Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary), which can lead to further careers in education including becoming a primary school teacher.
This qualification leads to careers including room leader/educator in long day care, kindergarten assistant, out of school hours/vacation care, and occasional care, as registered with the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). With further studies in the Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary), graduates can also pursue careers including primary school teacher.
The course is delivered through a combination of classroom-based learning and professional placement. The timetable is 2 days per week, from 9am to 5pm, and includes an integrated practical component of 45 days of placement in child care and kindergarten settings.
The Associate Degree of Early Years Studies is offered at Melbourne Polytechnic's Preston Campus. Intakes are available in February and July each year. The course can be studied full time over 2 years or part time over 4 years.
Application
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Step 02
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Step 03
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