This course is dedicated to preparing future teachers with specialised knowledge and skills to work with young children (0-8 years) and their families. Graduates are equipped with the highest standards in personal ethics and practice to perform in educational and child care settings. A coordinated program of workplace learning ensures students have every opportunity to apply their skills in real education and child care settings. In addition, students can tailor their learning experience by specialising in areas of interest once compulsory units of study have been completed. An impressive feature of the course is the opportunity to complete a fast-tracked final year and achieve eligibility for employment in schools from term 4 during the same year.

This course will target students who meet entrance requirements set by the University, including TER, mature age entry or STAT, TAFE qualifications (Certificate IV and above from a recognised TAFE provider) , UPC, direct entry and portfolio entry. Due to the nature of their work with beginning readers and writers and community expectations, early childhood teachers are expected to have high levels of literacy and numeracy. For successful completion of this course students are expected to have strong literacy and numeracy skills. All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac and to give a full-time commitment to the school/centre during the scheduled days. All Students are required to adhere to the School of Education’s Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct for ECU Pre-service Teachers which are also available on the website.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) is a 480 credit point course.  The first three years of the course consists of core units.  In Year 4, Semester 2 students have an opportunity to develop expertise through an area of specialisation.  Students choose from  the following areas:

Special Education;

Catholic Education Studies;

Visual and Expressive Arts;

Teaching Children who have English as an Additional Language;

School Based Project;

Internship.

Please note the following:

1. The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) is recognised by the Western Australian College of Teaching as meeting the requirements for registration as a teacher in Western Australia.
2. The course meets the A* rating for employment in child care in Western Australia.
3. Catholic Education Accreditation to teach Religious Education requires three units in Catholic Education Studies.
4. In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory professional practice.. Therefore all students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice Periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is also available on the website
5. In the fourth year, students undertake an Assistant Teacher Program (ATP) comprising one term of approximately ten weeks of continuous teaching practice in a kindergarten or pre-primary centre.  The Assistant Teacher Program is conducted during the seventh semester in second term of the school year.
6. All students must adhere to the School’s Rule and Procedures in relation to professional practice. See hppt://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac/ .
7. Opportunities exist for students to complete a semester overseas through the Study Abroad Program.
8. All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) are required to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy.
9. In the fourth year of the course students may focus on special education in order to meet accreditation expectations of DET in relation to teaching children with special needs.