Bachelor
If you are inspired to teach young children, Deakin's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides you with the opportunity to explore early childhood education curriculum theories and pedagogies, child development, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, professional studies as well as teaching and learning in discipline areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts.
You'll undertake professional placements through Deakin's Professional Experience Program gaining both practical knowledge and skills to teach children aged birth to 5-years. By experiencing learning across a range of early childhood and education settings will ensure, you graduate equipped with foundation knowledge and gain confidence to meet the significant growth of the Australian early childhood education sector.
Do you want to start your journey to becoming an early childhood educator?
Fast-track your way to becoming an early childhood teacher with this three-year degree. You may additionally be eligible for an attractive scholarship offered by the Victorian Department of Education and Training for pre-service teachers enrolled in early childhood teaching courses.
Deakin maintains close links with the education sector to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with professional input. You'll be taught by experts who have teaching experience and who are recognised as leaders and innovators in their fields. This means you can be confident that what you learn with us will be relevant to your future teaching career.
The Professional Experience Program is a key part of every Deakin teaching student's course experience. Working with more than 1400 early childhood centres and schools across Australia, we'll arrange at least 80-days of placements for you in early childhood education and care settings where you will learn from experienced early childhood teachers.
Choose to study via our premium online learning platform and have the additional flexibility to balance work, life, and study. Studying online is collaborative and engaging, while still allowing you to complete your studies when and where it suits you.
Additionally, the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia* and provides students with an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (previously Diploma of Children's Services) offered through TAFE. Eligible students may receive up to 8 credit points of recognition for prior learning towards their degree.
Looking to enhance your early childhood education career? You may be eligible for the Accelerated Employment Based Pathway, which supports you to continue working while you study the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Early childhood educators with an approved diploma-level qualification can now apply to complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at the same time as working in an early childhood setting. You'll receive extra support within early childhood services, including mentorship and time release for study, helping you to complete your degree in just 1.5 years.^
*This course is approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia. Graduates of this course who are intending to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate may be required to provide further information.
^To complete the course in 1.5 years it must be taken over 4 consecutive trimesters with compulsory study in Trimester 3.
There is an increasing demand for qualified early childhood teachers, with the workforce set to double in the next 10-years. Graduates are qualified to work in early childhood settings as early childhood teachers, educational leaders, coordinators, or advisers. Graduates may also find employment opportunities in:
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, students must complete 24 credit points comprising:
This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience.
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Previously Diploma of Children's Services) offered through TAFE. Applicants who have completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education may receive 8 credit points of Recognition of prior learning reducing the total course duration by 2 trimesters of full-time study.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.