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).

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.

Course Structure

• Core Units

  32

• Electives

  None

• Major Units

  None

• Minor Units

  None

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.