Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Birth – 5 years) is designed to equip students with the necessary skills needed to teach in Christian, private, state and corporate early childhood education and care services in both Australia and overseas. Avondale University graduates are reflective, creative, and confident classroom teachers who have also acquired service leadership knowledge and skills. The degree qualifies and prepares graduates to teach children from birth to five years of age and to be responsible ethical leaders to children, families and staff. The BEd (EC) (Birth – 5 years) is a highly practical degree with hands-on classroom experience throughout the course. Students will engage in seven professional experience placements. These are undertaken in various types of early childhood settings to enable the application of theory in a practical setting. The degree is offered on campus and online making it even easier for students to fit study around your work and personal life. Graduates of this course are not eligible for primary teacher registration.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Secondary education (Australia or New Zealand): A selection rank of at least 63 (ATAR plus any adjustment factors); OR a minimum of 24 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; OR New Zealand Year 13 NCEA Level 3 results, identifying university entrance attainment; OR an appropriate score in the uniTEST and the Tertiary Online Written Assessment*; OR an appropriate score in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)*; OR the International Big Picture Learning Credential.
Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.
VET course (Australia or New Zealand): An Australian Certificate IV or higher; OR an Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification or higher; OR an equivalent New Zealand Certificate IV or Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent, as approved by the Director, Student Administration Services.
Prior university study (Australia or New Zealand): Successfully completed at least 2 units of a Bachelor's degree; OR completed a bridging or enabling course, or another recognised tertiary preparation course; OR successfully completed at least three units of Avondale's Undergraduate Certificate in University Preparation.
Overseas secondary or higher education: Refer to the Admission Policy (HE) for specific information regarding both the minimum academic entry standards (Appendix 1) and the English language proficiency requirements (Appendix 2).
Other work and life experience: If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit an admission test (uniTEST and TOWA or the Skills for Tertiary Admission Test). In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic.
Additional entry requirement: Complete and submit a Personal Statement for Initial Teaching Training (PSITE) for the Course Convenor to assess.
English Language Requirements (non-English primary language): A minimum overall IELTS score of 7.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in reading and writing, and a minimum score of 8.0 in listening and speaking; OR one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE).
Post Admission Requirements: Working with Children Check (WWCC); Child Protection Awareness Training (within first two weeks of semester); Annual Child Protection Updates; ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Birth – 5 years) graduates leave with the skills for potential employment as an: Early Childhood Teacher; Educational Leader or nominated supervisor of a day care service (after one year of experience); Family Day Care Coordinator. Graduates are qualified to teach in the prior-to-school settings for birth - 5 years in both Australia and overseas. In addition to education-related careers, teachers often find careers in the corporate world where employers value organisational and relationship skills.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) / AITSL

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AITSL / ACECQA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units32 units

EDUC11106

Health & Safety in ECE

Year 1 Semester 1

ARTS11110

The Art of Scholarship

Year 1 Semester 1

WHPE10101

Foundations of Wellbeing

Year 1 Semester 1

EDEP10000

Professional Development and Experience IA

Year 1 Semester 1 — Professional Experience (July, 5 days) 3-5 year olds

EDCE22500

Pedagogies of Relationships

Year 1 Semester 2

EDCE12500

Play-based Pedagogies

Year 1 Semester 2

EDCE12000

EC Curriculum - The Arts I

Year 1 Semester 2

EDEP10100

Professional Development and Experience IB

Year 1 Semester 2 — Professional Experience (February, 5 days) 0 - 2 year olds

EDCE22000

EC Curriculum - The Arts II

Year 2 Semester 1

EDUC29610

Indigenous & Multicultural Education Studies in ECE

Year 2 Semester 1

EDUC28000

Administration & Management I

Year 2 Semester 1

EDEP20000

Professional Development and Experience IIA

Year 2 Semester 1 — Professional Experience (July, 5 days) 3 - 5 year olds

EDUC23500

Child Development II

Year 2 Semester 2

HPFH20101

Families and Their Communities

Year 2 Semester 2

EDCE21500

EC Curriculum - Numeracy Technology & Science

Year 2 Semester 2

EDEP20100

Professional Development and Experience IIB

Year 2 Semester 2 — Professional Experience (February, 10 days) 2 - 3 year olds

EDUC37400

Planning Assessment and Evaluation

Year 3 Semester 1

EDUC28100

Administration and Management II - Journeys of Change

Year 3 Semester 1

EDCE21400

EC Curriculum - Outdoor Play & Nature Play

Year 3 Semester 1

EDEP30000

Professional Development and Experience IIIA

Year 3 Semester 1 — Professional Experience (July, 10 days) 0 - 2 yr olds

EDUC21210

Inclusion & Early Intervention - Birth - 5 yrs

Year 3 Semester 2

EDCE31290

Digital Technologies in Early Childhood

Year 3 Semester 2

EDCE23000

EC Curriculum - Multiple Literacies

Year 3 Semester 2

EDEP30100

Professional Development and Experience IIIB

Year 3 Semester 2 — Professional Experience (February, 30 days) 3 - 5yr olds

EDCE25100

EC Spirituality Faith & Christian ECE

Year 4 Semester 1

EDUC38300

Leadership & Advocacy

Year 4 Semester 1

EDUC26100

Alternative Pedagogies & Historical Perspectives in ECE

Year 4 Semester 1

EDEP35000

Professional Development & Experience IVA

Year 4 Semester 1 — Professional Experience (July–August, 30 days) 0 - 5yr olds

EDUC30105

Exploring a Philosophy of Christian Education

Year 4 Semester 2

EDUC31117

Social & Environmental Education

Year 4 Semester 2

EDUC35200

Curriculum in EC – Contemporary Issues

Year 4 Semester 2

EDEP35100

Professional Development & Experience IVB

Year 4 Semester 2

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days of professional experience placement are required in this degree?

Students are required to complete 95 days of Professional Experience Placement across seven placements throughout the degree. These placements are undertaken in various types of early childhood settings covering different age groups (birth to 5 years), providing opportunities to develop essential mastery of the Graduate Teaching Standards required by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) prior to graduation.

Can I study this course online or part-time?

Yes, the degree is offered both on campus and online (off campus), making it easier for students to fit study around work and personal life. It can be completed over four years full-time or part-time equivalent. Note that international students on a student visa must study on campus in full-time mode to meet student visa requirements and cannot enrol by distance mode.

Does this degree qualify me to teach in primary schools?

No, graduates of this course are not eligible for primary teacher registration. The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Birth – 5 years) qualifies and prepares graduates to teach children from birth to five years of age in prior-to-school settings in both Australia and overseas.

What are the post-admission requirements I need to complete before my placements?

Before commencing Professional Experience Placements, students must obtain a New South Wales Working with Children Check (WWCC) no later than the end of their first year, complete Child Protection Awareness Training within the first two weeks of the semester, complete annual Child Protection Updates, and complete ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training as mandated by the NSW Department of Education.

Is credit available for prior study or work experience?

Yes, applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). For example, applicants with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or higher) will be eligible for a minimum of 8 units of advanced standing. Additional credit may also be awarded for approved early childhood work experience as a room leader. Applicants should discuss their eligibility with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $70,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $70,000 to $82,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $82,000 to $92,000 per year

Career Paths

Early Childhood Educator (Certificate III level)Early Childhood Teacher (ECT)Room Leader / Lead EducatorEducational LeaderChildcare Centre Director / Centre Manager

Key Skills

Child development assessment and observationPlay-based curriculum design and implementationApplication of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)Inclusive education practices for children with diverse needsBehaviour guidance and positive relationships with children

Full Course Overview

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Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)(Birth - 5 Years)

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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