Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Education (Early Years) |
| Course Credit Points | 24 |
| Deakin course code | E320 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2013 onwards |
| Campus | This course is an E333 Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, E330 Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and the E334 Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education exit only option. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
| Supplementary Information | This course is not accredited as an initial teaching qualification and does not give students VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) accreditation. |
Course sub-headings
Course overview
Students completing the course have a broad and coherent understanding of child development, curriculum theories and pedagogies in designing and implementing child-centred, play-based and developmentally appropriate programs in childcare, preschool and school contexts.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Acquire broad and coherent body of knowledge of education principles and practice, and in depth theoretical and technical knowledge of early childhood education. Use knowledge and understanding of child development in Australian society in a range of professional contexts. Understand curriculum theories and pedagogies in the design and implementation of child-centred, play-based and developmentally appropriate programs, in a range of early childhood and school contexts. |
| Communication | Have well-developed cognitive, technical and communication skills, and be able to select and apply these skills and technologies to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas in academic and professional early childhood and school contexts. Communicate effectively with colleagues and others acknowledging the need to support and respect differences in child rearing and family cultural expectations. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of technologies to collect, analyse, synthesise and evaluate and disseminate information in a rapidly changing global environment. |
| Critical thinking | Identify contemporary issues in early childhood education and the changing work context and be able to respond positively to these issues. Use cognitive and technical skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise and communicate knowledge for a range of audiences. |
| Problem solving | Use critical reflection and analytical skills to determine solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems and adapt these solutions to diverse contexts and learners. Analyse and evaluate information in relation to content knowledge, and applied practice and generate and transmit solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems. |
| Self-management | Apply knowledge and skills with autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility requiring self-directed work and learning. Demonstrate abilities and dispositions underpinning lifelong learning and personal attributes that enable a positive contribution to society including critical thinking, creative and problem solving skills. |
| Teamwork | Take responsibility for personal learning and accountability in professional practice in collaboration with others. Justify and understand leadership and advocacy for collaborative work-based practices in early childhood contexts and schools. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate understandings of the diversity of Australian society and the influences on development of culture, family contexts, gender and disability and the influences of these on the education and care of children. Adapt knowledge and skills to culturally and socially diverse contexts and communities. |
Approved at Faculty Board May 2014
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 or above
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Level 1
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| ECE103 | Early Years Learning Environments (replaces ECE140) |
| ECE110 | Children's Development |
| ECE111 | Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy |
| ECE112 | The Planning Cycle |
| ECE116 | Children's Health and Wellbeing |
| ECE120 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession |
| ECP128 | Introduction to Professional Practice and Infant/Toddler Pedagogy |
| ECE130 | Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities |
| ECL101 | Science of Reading |
ECE113 Young Children's Mathematical Development [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE115 Foundations of Early Childhood Education: Past and Present [No longer available for enrolment]
ECP127 Professional Experience 1 (0-2 Years) [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE140 Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts [No longer available for enrolment, ECE103 replaces this unit]
Level 2
| ECE211 | Mathematics in the Early Years |
| ECE220 | Science and Environment in the Early Years |
| ECE230 | Language and Literacy 1: Foundations |
| ECE241 | Creative Arts 1: Music and Movement |
| ECP228 | Professional Experience 2: Planning for Individual Children |
| ECP252 | Professional Experience 1: Infant/Toddler Pedagogy and Early Mathematics |
| IND202 | Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands |
ECE210 Child Development 2 [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE212 Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE352 Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers [No longer available for enrolment, ECP252 replaces this unit]
IND201 Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives [No longer available for enrolment]
Level 3
| ECE270 | Guiding Engaged Learners (replaces ECE370) |
| ECE330 | Multiliterate Learners in Early Years and School Environments |
| ECP252 | Professional Experience 1: Infant/Toddler Pedagogy and Early Mathematics (replaces ECE352) |
| ECE380 | STEM Inquiry Learning |
| ECL310 | Teaching Primary English and Literacy: 3-6 |
| ECE340 | Creative Arts 2: Visual Arts and Drama |
| ESM310 | Teachers and Mathematics: Creating an Effective Classroom |
| ECP305 | Professional Experience 3: Group Planning and Transitions |
EEO320 Humanities Education Across the Primary Levels [No longer available for enrolment, EEO101 is the alternate unit]
ECP327 Professional Engagement 1 (Primary School 1) [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE312 Lifespan Development [No longer available for enrolment, ECE340 is available for students to enrol in]
ECE350 Transition Case Study (2 credit points) [No longer offered, ECE420 & ECE404 are available for students to enrol in]
ECE352 Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers [No longer available for enrolment, ECP252 replaces this unit]
ECE360 Protective Education and Child Well-Being [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE390 Management and Leadership (No longer offered, ECE491 is available for students to enrol in]
(The 35-hour professional placement linked to ECE390 to be undertaken in ECE430)
Level 4
| ECP316 | Professional Experience 4: Transitioning to the Teaching Profession (replaces ECE420) |
| ECE344 | Inclusive Education for Young Children (replaces ECE404) |
| EEO410 | Humanities Inquiry Pedagogy |
| EST400 | Primary Technology Education: Creativity and Design |
ECE404 Inclusive Education for Young Children [No longer available for enrolment, ECE344 replaces this unit]
ECE420 Supporting Children Making Transitions [No longer available for enrolment, ECE316 replaces this unit]
ECE491 Perspectives of Management and Leadership [No longer available for enrolment, ECE380 is available for students to enrol in]
EEO411 Humanities Education for F-2 Primary Levels [No longer offered, EEO410 is available for students to enrol in]
ECE430 Teacher as Researcher [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE455 Effective Primary Mathematics Learning [No longer available for enrolment, ESM310 is the alternate unit]
ECE475 Effective Partnerships for Learning [No longer offered, students to enrol in ECE130 is available for students to enrol in]
ESE499 Independent Project [No longer offered, ECE430 is available for students to enrol in] (Online only)
ECP410 Professional Teaching Practice and Child Study (0-3 Years) [No longer available for enrolment]
ECP427 Professional Engagement 2 (Primary School 2) [No longer available for enrolment, ETP403 is the alternate unit]
ETP400 Assessment: Ways of Knowing Learners [No longer available for enrolment]
ETP403 University-To-Work Transition [No longer available for enrolment]
Professional Experience Placement
Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer at Service Victoria.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Other learning experiences
There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with educational or industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have early childhood directors, principals, inclusive education providers and Department of Human Services workers provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.