Course description
About the course
The program equips students with the professional skills required to foster positive development and learning in children, whether they are in childcare services, preschools or in primary schools.
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) course is grounded in the belief that graduates should continue to develop as scholars and teachers, and be practitioners who reflect on their own practice, and who are strong advocates for children and their families.
Employment possibilities for graduates include teaching in government and non-government schools, long daycare centres, mobile preschools and work-based care. Students will gain skills and experience in planning, teaching and observing the development and learning of children as well as working in teams with other educational professionals and in partnerships with parents.
Credit/Advanced standing
No special arrangements apply
The course is fully accredited by State and National bodies
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) is currently accredited with:
* New South Wales Institute of Teachers
* Victorian Institute of Teaching
* Early Childhood Australia, Victoria and New South Wales Chapters
* Department of Community Services, New South Wales
The latest facilities
To make sure students have experience in using equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
* computer laboratories
* specialist curriculum rooms for early childhood, creative arts, language, science, numeracy, human movement, etc.
* access to early childhood settings on campus
Throughout the course, students use a range of technologies to communicate with children, teachers and other professional colleagues in this country and overseas. This technology includes email, the internet, video and digital cameras, CD, audio tapes and other forms of electronic information exchange.
Subjects in the course will be supported by online technology to ensure students have access to the latest ideas and research from around the world. There are opportunities to gain skills in the production of media appropriate to the teaching of a range of children, and students learn to evaluate the impact of media on learning.
Professional experience
Professional experience in early childhood and primary school settings is a vital component of the program, comprising five subjects in the course.
From first year to fourth year, students gradually assume more responsibility for planning, teaching and management of classroom settings, as they progress through a range of experiences. This part of the course aims to enable students to develop an understanding of various early childhood services and the school system. It helps students to plan and implement learning experiences for young children under the guidance of an experienced teacher. Settings include those for children under three, three to five years, the first years of school, and middle and upper primary classes.
Opportunities exist for placement in a range of locations. Students undertake placements in both under fives and primary settings in the final professional experience in Session 8. These experiences are supported by qualified staff in the teaching setting and by University supervisors.
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 256 credit points. This consists of a series of compulsory subjects, including a final extended professional experience.
Additional requirements
Refer to the Additional requirements section for information on:
* NSW Teachers Institute requirement
* Literacy requirement
* Criminal Record Clearance
