Course summary

Early Years education enriches learning in children from birth to five years by giving children the opportunity to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for lifelong learning. It focuses on the significance of early education to foster children’s health, development and wellbeing.

For the duration of this degree you will engage in continuous professional mentoring through the Professional Partners in Practice (PPP) program. This will give you invaluable sector experience and professional connections that will enhance your employment pathways and opportunities.

You will spend up to 16 weeks teaching in Early Childhood Education and Care services and 10 days in the Community and Family sector, complementary to the mentoring experience within the Professional Partners in Practice program.

You will also have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

On-campus and Flexible Delivery Available

You can study this degree on-campus at Wollongong with weekly classes, or in flexible mode. Flexible delivery means lecture content, tutorials and other activities will be delivered online. The flexible offering supports enrolment for regional and remote students as well as students working in the sector. Students enrolled in the flexible instance have access to regional campus facilities and student support services.

Accelerated Pathway Program for Diploma-Qualified Educators

The Bachelor of Education – The Early Years offers an accelerated pathway option that has been co-developed with the sector and is designed to support the upskilling of Diploma-qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers in just two years. Delivered fully online across three academic sessions per year, this pathway supports educators by offering a flexible professional experience program that aims to enhance educator engagement, allows educators to continue earning an income while studying, and minimises disruptions for their employers. In addition to the unique course design and professional experience, students will be paired with a mentor from the sector to ensure they receive ongoing support throughout the degree.