Bachelor of
Early Childhood Education

This subject explores the following components of theoretical perspectives and educational theories that influence early childhood teaching and learning: 

• Recognising the theoretical influences underpinning global early childhood pedagogy and professional practice. 
• Critically reflecting on and evaluating early childhood educational theoretical perspectives that influence teaching and children’s learning. 
• Investigating developmental, socio-cultural, cultural-historical, socio-behaviourist, critical, post structuralism, post-modernism, and contemporary theories in relation to pedagogical implications in the teaching and learning environment. 
• Identifying theories in children’s play and the domains of development and applying this in curriculum provision, the planning cycle and teaching practices.

Subject Code: EPRO201
Credit Points: 6

This subject examines the aspects of young children’s and early childhood teachers’ comprehension and support of exceptionality to foster inclusivity in early childhood environments, including:

• Contemporary inclusive education research, recommendations, strategies, and approaches to enhance the inclusion of children with exceptionalities and diverse learning needs. 
• The characteristics of exceptionality that influence the inclusion of children in early childhood settings and curriculum provision. 
• Recognising the barriers, limitations, modifications, and interventions needed to support inclusive curriculum provision and learning environments for children with exceptionalities. 
• Engagement with inclusive approaches, perspectives, and teaching practices to support young children with exceptionalities in early childhood settings.

Subject Code: EDEV202
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores the following components of understanding and guiding behaviour to enable the provision of early childhood education and care to young children: 

• Brain architecture and how early experiences shape the developing brain and influence young children’s behaviour. 
• The significance of the links and connections between young children’s contexts, holistic development, and needs on their behaviour. 
• Pedagogical strategies for understanding how to guide young children’s behaviour whilst facilitating their social-emotional skills through attachment, positive relationships, and interactions. 
• Teaching strategies and approaches to support young children’s behaviour and nurture positive self esteem, wellbeing, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence. 
• The importance of play, curriculum provision and identifying the early childhood teachers’ role in guiding behaviour to promote every child’s agency within the learning environment.

Subject Code: ETCH203
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores the following components of working with families and communities to provide early childhood education and care: 

• Contemporary sociology, theories and influences of family and community contexts on young children’s development and learning. 
• Social policy that influences the social behaviour, relationships, interactions, culture and contexts of children, families, and communities. 
• The diversity, complexity, changing nature and challenging contexts encountered by families and the impact on children’s development in contemporary society. 
• Contextualised research, projects, programs, resilience raising strategies and approaches to working with and supporting family and community contexts in early childhood education.

Subject Code: EPRO204
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores: 

• Contemporary issues in sustainability and ethics including ecological, globalisation, indigenous, social, and cultural sustainability. 
• Key concepts, theories, priorities, policies, and practices in education for sustainability. 
• A range of pedagogical practices to support children’s knowledge, agency, and practices of sustainability both locally and globally.
• How to nurture children to become active citizens in sustainable practices. 
• An identification of personal content knowledge and values relating to sustainability.

Subject Code: ETCH205
Credit Points: 6

This subject examines components of infant and toddler care and learning for early childhood education and care including: 

• Contemporary theories, approaches, models, and frameworks for teaching, educating, and responding appropriately to infants and toddlers. 
• Documentation, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning opportunities for infants and toddlers. 
• Fostering infant and toddler learning dispositions and holistic development across all areas of early childhood curriculum provision. 

Subject Code: ETCH206
Credit Points: 6 
Pre-Requisites: ECUR102 Exploring Play and Documentation, EDEV103 Holistic Child Development

This subject explores the elements of curriculum, pedagogy, and teaching strategies for early childhood education and care to young children including: 

• Contextual theoretical perspectives on curriculum, pedagogy, and teaching. 
• Contemporary perspectives on early childhood curriculum and approaches to curriculum. 
• Effective pedagogy and teaching strategies for supporting young children’s learning and development. 
• Integration of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers into everyday practices within early childhood contexts.

Subject Code: ECUR207
Credit Points: 6

This subject enables you to explore your developing understanding of the early childhood profession and expectations in the birth to three age range of an education and care setting. Throughout the professional experience component of the subject, you will apply acquired professional knowledge and demonstrate pedagogical skills in the following focus areas: 

• Theoretical Perspectives and Pedagogy 
• Understanding and Supporting Exceptionality 
• Understanding and Guiding Children’s Behaviour 
• Working with Families and Communities 
• Sustainability Perspectives in the Early Years 
• Development, Assessment and Planning 
• Curriculum Approaches and Teaching Strategies 

Subject Code: PLAC908
Credit Points: 6 
Pre-Requisites: All Level 200 (Year 2) subjects plus PLAC907 Professional Experience 1 (3-5 years)

This subject explores the following components of children’s language and literacy development from birth to six years: 

• Various theories and approaches to language acquisition and literacy development including an understanding of how socio-cultural contexts shape literacy development within families, and the ways that parents and Early Childhood educators can work together to support development. 
• Strategies for supporting the development of language and literacy within early childhood contexts, using both traditional and multimodal texts. 
• The role of the teacher in supporting and assessing children’s language and literacy development and planning effective teaching that will extend learning. 

Subject Code: ECUR301
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores various aspects of young children’s mathematics development including: 

• The importance of building young children’s mathematical thinking and concepts through play. 
• Theoretical bases for mathematics education, 
• The role of the teacher in facilitating and enhancing mathematical concepts and skills with young children. 
• Documenting, planning, and assessing for mathematics understanding, concepts, and skills in early childhood environments. 
• Engage young children’s interest in and understanding of mathematics across a range of contexts.

Subject Code: ECUR302
Credit Points: 6

This subject covers various aspects of using digital technology and media for high-quality early childhood education and care, including: 

• Evaluating literature, policies, and frameworks related to young children’s use of digital technology and media in the 21st century.
• Understanding the current digital technological landscape in early childhood contexts. 
• Acquiring the knowledge, approaches and skills to support effective, ethical, and responsible use of digital technology and media in early childhood contexts. 
• Using a range of pedagogical approaches that support playful and intentional approaches to digital citizenship and digital technology use within a diverse range of early childhood contexts. 
• Using multimodal media for creating and consuming text, digital technology, coding, and robotics in teaching and learning with children.

Subject Code: ECUR303
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores the following components of designing curriculum and teaching young children literacy and numeracy in early childhood contexts: 

• The connection between literacy and numeracy practices in early childhood within a broader socio-cultural context.
• Recognising diverse literacy and numeracy practices within communities and the importance of teachers acknowledging and appreciating this diversity for children, families, and communities.
• Literacy and numeracy for young children within the National Quality Framework Approved Learning Frameworks and Australian Curriculum. 
• Pedagogical practices required to document, assess, plan and design play-based literacy and numeracy learning experiences in a range of environments and curriculum areas. 
• Incorporating the Australian National Professional Standards for Teachers into the daily literacy and numeracy practices of an early childhood teacher.

Subject Code: ETCH304
Credit Points: 6 Pre-Requisites: ECUR301 Language and Literacy in the Early Years, ECUR302 Mathematics in the Early Years

This subject explores the following components of designing curriculum and teaching science and engineering to young children in early childhood settings. It covers:

• The importance of play-based learning in sparking children’s interest in science and engineering, as well as fostering inquiry-based learning habits.
• Understanding curriculum and play-based pedagogy to enhance science and engineering education for young children, including different thinking styles.
• Developing knowledge in the technical areas of science and engineering, and creating strategies to incorporate appropriate experiences into early childhood curriculum and planning.

Subject Code: ETCH305
Credit Points: 6

This subject focuses on enhancing your knowledge, skills and dispositions in music, dance and movement within early childhood education. You’ll explore how the arts impact children’s development and community identities. You will also document, assess, and apply a range of contemporary play-based teaching strategies to design and facilitate engaging experiences that develop children’s aesthetic and creative expressions through dance drama and music in early childhood settings and the community. The importance of integrated curriculum approaches to the arts will also be examined and put into practice.

Subject Code: ETCH306
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores the following components of contemporary art approaches to educating young children in early childhood contexts: 

• The significance of creativity and visual and media art to children’s development, critical and creative thinking, play, and curriculum design. 
• Teaching pedagogies that support, facilitate, and promote young children’s creativity across a variety of visual and media art learning opportunities, curriculum areas and the community. 
• Documenting, assessing, planning, and designing engaging play-based visual and media art curriculum provision for young children. 
• Integrating visual and media art within the curriculum through drama, movement, music, language and literacy, mathematics and numeracy, humanities and social sciences, technologies, science, and engineering.

Subject Code: ETCH307
Credit Points: 6

This subject enables you to integrate your developing understanding of the early childhood profession and the expected roles for children aged three to five in an education and care setting. During the professional experience component of the subject, you will use your acquired professional knowledge to demonstrate teaching and pedagogical skills in specific curriculum focus areas. These include:

• Communication, language, and literacy 
• Mathematics and numeracy 
• Digital technologies and media 
• Science, engineering, STEM, and STEAM 
• Music, dance, movement, and drama 
• Visual and media arts 
• Pedagogical documentation 

Subject Code: PLAC909
Credit Points: 6 
Pre-Requisites: All Level 300 (Year 3) subjects plus PLAC908 Professional Experience 2 (0-3 years)

This subject explores the following perspectives of inclusive education and teaching of young children in diverse early childhood contexts: 

• Key theories, legislation, policy, and frameworks for informing inclusive education in early childhood settings. 
• Contemporary inclusive education research to enhance and enrich the inclusion of children with additional needs into an early childhood education and care setting and curriculum. 
• The significance of family and child perspectives in the design and construction of an inclusive educational environment for all children. 
• Educational scholarship in applying approaches, perspectives, and teaching practices to design contemporary inclusive curricula, learning environments, and assessments for all children.

Subject Code: EPRO401 
Credit Points: 6 

This subject explores and combines various approaches to creating a contemporary curriculum for young children in early childhood education. It includes:

• Implementing modern curriculum in early childhood settings to engage with children in new ways.

• Exploring global educational theories shaping early childhood curriculum, teaching practices, and children’s learning.
• Exploring contemporary methods to observe, document, assess, plan, and teach young children.
• Making educational theories visible in children’s development, learning, and curriculum planning.
• Creating effective inquiry-based learning opportunities for young children using contemporary curriculum approaches.

Subject Code: ECUR402
Credit Points: 6

This subject examines the following contemporary approaches to Indigenous perspectives to provide early childhood education and care:

• Embracing the diversity, culture, practice, and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 
• Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and perspectives in early childhood education. 
• Applying the principles of Reconciliation in early childhood curriculum. 
• Using culturally responsive teaching strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curriculum across various subjects such as language, literacy, numeracy, mathematics, visual and media arts, music, dance, drama, health and physical wellbeing, science, engineering, technology, humanities, and social sciences

Subject Code: EPRO403
Credit Points: 6

This subject explores contemporary approaches to advocating for children’s rights and social justice in early childhood education and care, including:

• Empowering children’s rights education including their civil rights; education, leisure, and cultural activities; safety; health, family life; immigration, asylum seeker and refugee status; living standards; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. 
• Teaching about advocacy and social justice, and applying this knowledge through pedagogical practices to support each child’s rights, identity, and wellbeing.

• Creating an inclusive early childhood curriculum with a focus on democracy and social inclusivity.
• Developing personal teaching, leadership, and management identities within the context of global social justice and advocacy.

Subject Code: EPRO404
Credit Points: 6

In this subject, you will:

• Understand the complex role, expectations, and requirements of an educational leader in maintaining the National Quality Framework, Australian Professional Teaching Standards, and other legislative requirements to support quality outcomes in early childhood contexts. 
• Develop professional understanding of the elements and strategies of educational leadership to lead educators and guide the planning cycle process. 
• Explore current approaches for educational leaders to support, lead, and mentor educators and teams in creating effective educational programs with high-quality outcomes for children, families, educators, and the wider community. 
• Examine theoretical perspectives underpinning global early childhood pedagogy, professional practice, curriculum frameworks and young children’s learning. 

Subject Code: ELDR405
Credit Points: 6 
Pre-Requisites: ECUR402 Contemporary Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

This subject explores contemporary approaches to leadership and services management in early childhood contexts, including: 

• Understanding the significance of early childhood leadership and service management for providing quality care and education to all stakeholders.
• Developing a leadership and management identity through understanding the skills and dispositions required for leading and managing various aspects within early childhood contexts such as compliance; financial obligations; marketing and promotions; workplace wellness and safety; recruitment and performance; team effectiveness and professional development; change; and innovation, learning and critical thinking. 
• Acquiring the knowledge, skills, and practices to effectively handle communication, planning, analysis, and decision-making for service operations and ensure compliance with governing legislation and regulatory frameworks.

Subject Code: ELDR406
Credit Points: 6

This subject teaches you how to conduct practical research for early childhood education. You will explore research methods, develop research questions, collect and analyse data, and present findings clearly. You will also learn to analyse and evaluate research in the field of early childhood education, develop reflexive skills, initiate practitioner research and develop knowledge in an area of interest. You will learn communicate research outcomes effectively to a range of audiences. Additionally, you will draw connections between practitioner action research and educational leadership. 

Subject Code: ELDR407
Credit Points: 6 
Pre-Requisites: All Level 100, 200, 300, 400 (Year 1, 2, 3 and 4) subjects.

This final professional experience placement capstone subject allows you to apply what you’ve learned about early childhood education during a 30-day work placement. There are three streams to choose from:

Stream 1: Community engagement and pedagogical leadership in an early childhood service 0-5 years 

• 15 days or 3-week block engaged in a community service for children aged birth-6 years. This could include early intervention, family services, government agencies, libraries, museums, or community organisations OR engaged in community involvement within an early childhood service with children aged birth to five years. This stream allows you to develop skills in networking, leadership, and implementing early childhood programs in the specialist areas of the early years.
• 15 days or 3-week block engaged in pedagogical leadership in an early childhood service with children aged birth to five years. This professional experience placement can be conducted in any early childhood setting, with children aged 0-2 years, 2-3 years or 3-5 years. You will practice superior time management skills as you balance elements of the roles of teacher and educational leader. 

Stream 2: Kindergarten engagement and pedagogical leadership in an early childhood service 0-5 years

• 15 days or 3-week block engaged in a kindergarten class in a primary school. This stream will build on your experience to consolidate and refine your skills in teaching in a classroom environment and collaborating with others implementing the Australian curriculum. 
• 15 days or 3-week block engaged in pedagogical leadership in an early childhood service with children aged birth to five years. This professional experience placement can be conducted in any early childhood setting, with children aged 0-2 years, 2-3 years or 3-5 years. 

You will practice superior time management skills as they balance elements of the roles of teacher and educational leader. 

Stream 3: Leadership in an early childhood service 0-5 years

• 30 days or 6-week block engaged in pedagogical and educational leadership and service management and leadership in an early childhood service with children aged birth to five years. This professional experience placement can be conducted in any early childhood setting, with children aged 0-2 years, 2-3 years or 3-5 years. 
• This stream allows you to enhance your skills in managing and leading early childhood education and care provision, preparing you for future early childhood management and leadership roles.

Regardless of the chosen option, you will apply your knowledge and skills in:

• Inclusive perspectives in early childhood education
• Contemporary curriculum provision
• Indigenous perspectives
• Advocacy and social justice
• Educational leadership
• Leadership and service management
• Researching in early childhood education.

You are required to arrange a consultation with the Placements Coordinator prior to commencing study, to determine the most suitable stream for you based on your qualifications, current work situation, and previous experience in early childhood education.

Subject Code: PLAC910
Credit Points: 6 
Co-Requisite:  ELDR407 Researching in Early Childhood
Pre-Requisites: All Level 100, 200, 300, 400 (Year 1, 2, 3 and 4) subjects excluding ELDR407, plus PLAC907 Professional Experience 1 (3-5 years), PLAC908 Professional Experience 2 (0-3 years), PLAC909 Professional Experience 3 (3-5 years)