Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)

Duration4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Location
Bundaberg and
Next start termTerm 1, 2024
Study modeOn Campus
Course codeCC14
CRICOS080751J
A teaching student in a library helping a child read a book.

Overview

CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) is an initial teacher education course usually studied over a period of four years. This course qualifies you for professional registration which is administered in Queensland by the Queensland College of Teachers. You will demonstrate evidence of meeting the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage) throughout the course of your study. On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible for employment in primary schools from Prep to Year 6 and in early childhood settings (long day care settings & kindergartens/pre-prep) throughout Australia.

In addition to building the professional knowledge and skills required to teach effectively, the course is designed to foster dispositions for engaging in and contributing to the teaching profession through a commitment to ongoing professional learning.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) includes 125 days of planned teaching practice in schools and other learning sites and an optional additional 20 days diploma practicum — 15 of which must be spent with children in the birth to 35 months group. You MUST complete a 15-day placement with children in the birth to 35 months group. This 15-day placement fulfils the requirements of the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which stipulates that students must complete a minimum of 15 days with children in the birth to 35 months group. Professional practice blocks are included in each year of the course structure, and many opportunities for applying theoretical knowledge in practical ways have been embedded in each of the 32 units that make up the course.

A key feature of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) is the embedded VET qualification: The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. On successful completion of the 9 first-year units and the required diploma practicum and associated tasks, you will receive the Diploma as an interim award. The structure of the course also allows for the recognition of prior learning. Applicants who already hold a recent Diploma qualification may be eligible for up to 6 units.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) also includes a specialisation in English providing you with knowledge and skills in this specialisation area. Students located in the Rockhampton Diocese, if selected to be part of the program, can undertake a specialisation in Catholic Education allowing you to be accredited to teach in a Catholic School.

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) you can progress to postgraduate study courses that are available for registered teachers through CQUniversity.

To be eligible for teacher registration, students in this course are required to undertake and pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (ITE) prior to graduation. This test, referred to as LANTITE, is administered Nationally by the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER).

Study experience

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) you will be qualified to teach in primary school settings from Prep to Year 6 and in specialist early childhood contexts, including childcare and kindergartens throughout Australia.

Like most professions, teaching has specific workforce demands and sometimes oversupply. Before undertaking a course of study, you should check with major employers regarding potential future employment prospects.

Structure & Availability

COURSE STRUCTURE

To graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) you are required to complete 32 units, including 26 core units and six specialised units that meet the requirements of the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) for early childhood educators.

UNIT INFORMATION

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

On-Campus Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2024Bundaberg, Mackay, Rockhampton
Term 2, 2024Bundaberg, Mackay, Rockhampton

Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.

Early Childhood Pedagogies - EDEC11027

Supervised Placement as per EDEC11027 Unit Profile

Professional Practice 1 - Introduction to Teaching - EDFE11038

Supervised Placement as per EDFE11038 Unit Profile

Professional Practice 2 (ECE) – Kindergarten - EDFE11039

Supervised Placement as per EDFE11039 Unit Profile

Professional Practice 3 (Primary/ECE) - Managing the Differentiated Classroom - EDFE13032

Supervised Placement as per EDFE13032 Unit Profile NB: If students are in the Catholic Education Strand, they complete this unit instead: EDFE12044

Professional Practice 4 - Engaged Teaching and Learning - EDFE14021

Supervised Placement as per EDFE14021 Unit Profile

Early Childhood Education and Care Placement - EDFE40002

Optional Early Childhood Education and Care Placement If students wish to complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, they will need to enrol in the following additional unit: EDFE40002 Early Childhood Education and Care Practice

Duration of Professional Practice units

Benefit from supervised placements to graduate classroom ready. Check below for more detail on the length of each placement block. 

UNIT NAME

CODE

DURATION

Early Childhood PedagogiesEDEC11202715 days of supervised placement in early childhood learning sites.  
Professional Practice 1 - Introduction to TeachingEDFE1103815-day block of practical experience under the guidance of a supervising teacher in a school setting.
Professional Practice 2 (ECE) - KindergartenEDFE1103925-day block placement in a kindergarten setting under the supervision of a registered teacher.
Professional Practice 3 (Primary/ECE) - Managing the Differentiated ClassroomEDFE1303220-day block placement in a school. Students taking the Catholic Education Strand will complete EDFE12044 instead, and complete a 20-day block placement.
Professional Practice 4 - Engaged Teaching and LearningEDFE1402125-day block placement in a classroom environment plus five one-day visits to prepare you for the continuous five-week teaching block.
Early Childhood Education and Care PlacementEDFE40002Optional 20-day block placement (120 hours) to satisfy placement requirements for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. 

Requirements

Recommended study

Nil

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and

General Mathematics, Mathematics Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and

General Science subject (Units 3 & 4, C) or Psychology (Units 3 & 4, C)

Non-Academic Requirements

Non-academic capabilities of all initial teacher education applicants will be assessed based on the submission of a personal statement that addresses the key attributes and motivations to become an effective teacher, as outline by AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership).

Applicants may consider the prompts mentioned below in each question to frame their response.

  • Tell us what has inspired you to become a teacher and tell us why you think teaching is a good career choice for you.

(In your response, describe who and what has inspired you to become a teacher and describe the types of skills and abilities you will bring to teaching.)

  • Describe one or two leadership, community and/or learning and development activities that you have engaged in.

(In your response describe how these leadership, community and/or learning and development activities demonstrate your conscientiousness and coping strategies when you are faced with challenges.)

  • Describe how you manage your time when you are both planning and coordinating activities in your personal schedule.

(In your response provide examples of how you have put both your planning and coordinating skills to use.)

  • Tell us about one or two times where you have utilised your problem-solving skills to achieve an outcome.

(In your response explain what you learned, regardless of whether the outcome you achieved was positive or undesirable.)

Please note, personal statement requirements may differ depending on application method.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 1 year fulltime with a minimum GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) test with an overall band score of at least 7.5 with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 8.0 for Speaking and Listening.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a mandatory requirement for workers in early childhood, primary and secondary education settings. Decisions on mandatory vaccinations will instead be made by the owner or operator of these settings and as such students undertaking work-integrated learning will need to adhere to the individual education setting requirements. 

Students must meet the inherent requirements for teaching and must ensure they adhere to any requirements within the scope of teaching across the curriculum learning areas.

Vaccination Advice

To be eligible to complete placements in early childhood settings, pre-service teachers may be required to show proof of immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella and influenza. In addition, some states and territories are requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for all school staff. Please be aware that these regulations would apply to preservice teachers. Regulations may be introduced in your state prior to, or at the time of, your scheduled placement/s and you must adhere to these requirements.

Students must be in possession of a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check issued in other Australian states or territories) to be eligible for placement in a school site.

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
International Indicative First Term FeeA$14,040
International Indicative First Year FeeA$28,080

Please note the following important information:

  • Fees are in Australian dollars (A$).
  • Fees are indicative only and do not cover additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, visa applications, OSHC, general living etc.
  • Fees are based on a full-time study load and the final fee payable will be determined by your selection of units and if any credit was awarded for recognition of prior learning.
  • The University reserves the right to amend fees at any time during the course. Fees are reviewed yearly and may increase in the following year to enable CQUniversity to continue to provide quality services and facilities to students.
  • Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
  • It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the entry requirements and prerequisites of the courses you wish to undertake.
  • The typical annual fee shown provides an estimate of the tuition fees for the first year of the course in the same academic year. This estimate assumes a full-time study load of 4 units per term (based on two terms).
  • Students not on an Australian student visa can only undertake courses online from an overseas location.
  • Courses undertaken online may be studied on a full-time or part-time mode.
  • International students studying on-campus in Australia may take no more than 33 per cent of their entire course by online education, and this option cannot be taken in its entirety during a compulsory term (Term 1 and Term 2).

Please refer to our international course fees page.

We offer a range of scholarships to support international students and encourage you to apply for one that's right for you.

How to apply

Our easy to use online application system for international students will guide you through the process of applying for a course at CQUniversity Australia.