Bachelor of Education - The Early Years

Course summary

Early Years education enriches learning in children from birth to five years by giving children the opportunity to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for lifelong learning. It focuses on the significance of early education to foster children’s health, development and wellbeing.

For the duration of this four-year degree, Early Years students will engage in continuous professional mentoring through the Professional Partners in Practice (PPP) programme. This will give you invaluable sector experience and professional connections that will enhance your employment pathways and opportunities.

Throughout the degree students spend up to 16 weeks teaching in Early Childhood Education and Care Centres and two weeks in the Community and Family sector, complementary to the mentoring experience within the Professional Partners in Practice programme.

During your study you will have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programmes.

You can study on-campus at Wollongong with weekly classes, or in flexible mode. Flexible delivery means lecture content and other activities will be delivered online, while tutorials will occur during a one week block at Wollongong Campus. Students enrolled in the flexible instance have access to regional campus facilities and student support services.

What you will study

During this degree you will study:

• The development of young children and their connection to family, community, and culture.
• Improving education and developmental outcomes for children.
• Establishing relationships with children and families.
• Cultural and social diversity.
• Early intervention and transition to school.
• Leadership and advocacy.
• Creating physical and social learning environments.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

• Demonstrate A broad and coherent knowledge of Early Childhood Education and Care pedagogies, policies and professional practice.
• Apply ongoing analysis of and engagement with the philosophy, ethics and practice in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Demonstrate and apply developed cognitive, practical and communication skills to foster wellbeing in children and to collaborate respectfully with families, communities and educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theory-practice nexus, its role and theirs as the teacher as researcher.
• Apply emerging skills in autonomous problem solving, adaptive and innovative approaches to planning, programming and evaluating for all learners in the Early Childhood Education and Care context.
• Demonstrate and apply a holistic understanding of socially inclusive practice; respect for culture, diversity and community in Australian society.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Education – The Early Years requires the following:

a. The successful completion of 192 credit points, comprising:

• 27 core subjects (168cp);
• 4 elective subjects (24cp) from Education or the General Schedule with approval from the Academic Programme Director as outlined below; and
• No more than 60 credit points may be at 100 level.

b. The successful completion of the Professional Experience components embedded in the course.

Year 1

Autumn Session

Spring Session

Year 2

Autumn Session

Plus ONE of the following electives:

Spring Session

** Only for students undertaking Food and Society, or Health Promotion as a major.

Year 3

Autumn Session

Spring Session

Plus ONE of the following electives:

Year 4

Annual Session

Autumn Session

Spring Session

Plus ONE of the following electives:

Minors

Students in the Bachelor of Education – The Early Years can undertake a minor study from another Faculty. Minor consists of an approved combination of subjects which have a minimum value of 24 credit points offered by one or more academic units, of which 12 credit points should be at least 200 level or higher. The cross-counting of subjects towards majors, minors and core degree requirements is limited to one subject.

Students should check that there is room within their degree structure to accommodate a minor study and still meet their degree requirements; and that the subjects are able to be studied in line with PEx requirements. If in doubt, students should seek academic advice before undertaking a minor study.

Students should also note that some subjects listed for minor studies may require other subjects as pre/co-requisites and that due to demand or space limitations, some subjects may have quotas. Students are advised to check for specific subject information in the online subject database before selecting subjects.

Compulsory Work Placement / Online Component

This course contains a total of 630 hours or approximately 90 days of compulsory work-based placements, completed over 34 weeks throughout the degree. This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar programme is available for high achieving students. For more information refer to the Bachelor of Education - The Early Years (Dean's Scholar).

Honours

Students who have achieved a high level of academic performance in the first three years of the degree may complete the fourth year at Honours level. For more information refer to the Bachelor of Education - The Early Years (Honours).

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Education - The Early Years is accredited through the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Why choose this course

UOW Education degrees produce career-ready accredited graduates with extensive professional experience and strong industry links. Early Years education at UOW is a nationally recognised specialised programme with a reputation for innovation in early years education.

You will learn with the latest education technology, including access to UOW's new Early Start facility, which connects our Wollongong and regional campuses with early childhood education and care services across NSW, and with partners in national and international institutions. Early Start has created an authentic landscape for learning through collaboration between the students, academics, community members, children and parents.

Career opportunities

• School teacher
• Childcare worker
• Educational consultant
• Educational manager
• Preschool teacher
• Private college teacher
• Recreational activities coordinator
• Sports development officer
• TAFE teacher
• Training and development officer

Admission

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures and the UOW College Admissions policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have a UOW College Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care you may apply for up to 48 credit points of credit towards the Bachelor of Education - The Early Years.

Record Check

New enrolling students will be required to complete the new online Working with Children Check and clearance must be obtained prior to attending Professional Experience.

Please note: Professional Experience is a compulsory component embedded in our undergraduate and Master of Teaching courses. Therefore it is an expectation that students who participate in these courses are capable of meeting the demands of navigating their own way to, from and around the Professional Experience contexts (e.g. school sites). It needs to be noted that the off-campus environment is beyond the control of UOW.

English Requirements for international students

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this programme:

IELTS Academic

• Overall Score: 7.5
• Reading: 7.0
• Writing: 7.0
• Listening: 8.0
• Speaking: 8.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

• Overall Score: 107
• Reading: 25
• Writing: 25
• Listening: 28
• Speaking: 27

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.