Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care)

Overview

If you are an experienced early childhood educator looking to become a four-year qualified teacher, UNE’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care) is the course for you. This degree is accredited with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an approved Early Childhood Teacher qualification, allowing you to take the next step in your career.

We understand that many of our students are in remote or regional areas, which makes finding professional experience placements a challenge. As a result, most of the placements in this course can be completed in the early learning service where you work, as long as your service caters for babies and meets the National Quality Standard.

UNE's outstanding early childhood team values the practical experience students bring to their studies. This is why our course is designed to extend and hone the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, as well as meeting current sector focus areas.

Why study the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care) with UNE?

This course is designed to meet the growing need for qualified early childhood teachers who share a genuine interest in being an agent for children's development.

It is designed to future proof your career with skills in organisational leadership, contemporary pedagogies and interpersonal skills that are highly valued in a variety of careers.

With a focus on work-life balance, you will gain a broad range of skills and knowledge that will prepare you to become a leader in your field.

One of the standout features of this course is its flexibility. By breaking the course into clusters, you can choose to study in "bite-sized" amounts. Each cluster is made up of two introductory modules and one unit. Introduction modules are half the study load of a unit.

If you are admitted under Rule A, you undertake the introductory modules before the associated unit in each cluster. You can choose to enrol in two modules in one trimester and the associated unit in the next trimester, or you can complete a range of modules before studying the units. It is up to you!

If you are admitted under Rule B, you only complete the unit from each cluster. You can choose to complete most units in any order, subject to some professional experience placement requirements.

Our goal is to help you structure and study your course in a way that works best for you — and we are here to help.

By the end of the course, you will not only further understand the way children learn and develop from birth to five years, but you will also be able to plan and implement enriching, challenging, and stimulating learning experiences.

Furthermore, this degree teaches you how to become an effective leader, implement policies and procedures, and become part of a management team.

What makes our course different?

Professional experience is a vital component of this course, allowing you to apply new knowledge in your teaching practice and reflect on your progress. With UNE, as long as your service caters for babies and meets the National Quality Standard, most of your professional experience placements can be completed in the early learning service you are working at.

Our innovative course is accredited with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an approved Early Childhood Teacher qualification. With our flexible structure, you can study whenever and wherever you want, and you can complete this course part-time or full-time. Prospective students from states other than NSW should contact their state or territory's accrediting body for further information regarding teacher registration requirements.

Depending on your admission basis, the course requires either 45 or 80 days of Professional Experience.

All Professional Experience must be completed in ACECQA-approved centre-based settings.

Make a difference to your career with UNE's Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care).

Commencement in Trimester 3 is only available to candidates admitted under Rule A.

Study online

Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus

Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.