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

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Birth – 5 Years) at Avondale University is a four-year teaching degree for people who want to work with children in their earliest years. You study how children learn and develop from birth to age five, and how to plan and lead learning experiences in early childhood settings. The course covers child development, play-based learning, curriculum and pedagogy, language and literacy, numeracy, health and safety, and working with families and communities. You also learn about the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and the regulatory and ethical responsibilities that come with working with young children.

How the degree is structured

Like other Australian bachelor degrees, it is normally four years of full-time study, made up of units of study that each carry a set number of credit points. You need to complete the required credit points to graduate. Study is usually organised into semesters or trimesters, and you can often choose to study full-time or part-time, though the professional experience placements follow a set schedule. The later part of the degree includes professional experience placements in early childhood services, where you work alongside qualified educators and take increasing responsibility for planning and teaching. Some students complete a final-year project or research unit that brings together what they have learned. Confirm the exact unit list, credit points and placement pattern on Avondale’s official course page.

Skills you build

You graduate able to observe children and plan experiences that match their development. You learn to build relationships with children, families and colleagues. You practise setting up safe, inclusive learning environments, documenting children’s learning, and communicating with parents and carers. You also develop the professional judgement to work within the National Quality Framework and to keep improving your practice through reflection and further learning.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want to teach in the years before school, in long day care, preschools, kindergartens and other early childhood services. It also suits people already working in early childhood who want to gain a teaching qualification. If you are applying from overseas, you will need to meet Avondale’s English requirements for teaching courses, which are higher than the usual undergraduate standard. As an international student on a Student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Check the current details with Avondale and the Department of Home Affairs.

• Early childhood teacher in long day care, preschool or kindergarten services
• Early childhood educator or room leader in children’s services
• Family day care educator or coordinator
• Early childhood service director or educational leader (with experience)
• Early intervention or inclusion support worker in community organisations
• Playgroup or parent–child programme facilitator
• Roles in state and territory education departments, local councils and not-for-profit early years providers