Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Education (Early Years) |
| Deakin course code | E320 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | This course is an 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 |
Note: 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 students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 or above
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course structure
Level 1 Units
| ECE110 | Child Development 1 |
| ECE111 | Curriculum 1: Pedagogies and Play |
| ECE112 | Curriculum 2: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning |
| ECE116 | Promoting Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition |
| ECE120 | Contemporary Perspectives of Education |
| ECP128 | Professional Knowledge (0-2 Years) |
| ECE130 | Partnerships with Families and Communities |
| ECE140 | Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts |
| ECL101 | Understanding Early Reading Development |
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]
Level 2 Units
| ECE211 | Mathematical Learning in the Early Years |
| ECE212 | Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning |
| ECE220 | Science 1: Science and Environmental Awareness for Young Children |
| ECE230 | Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood |
| ECE241 | Creative Arts 2: Music and Visual Arts |
| ECP228 | Professional Practice 2 (3-5 Years) |
| IND202 | Australian Indigenous Education: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation |
ECE210 Child Development 2 [No longer available for enrolment]
IND201 - Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives [No longer available for enrolment]
Level 3 Units
| ECE360 | Protective Education and Child Well-Being |
| ECE370 | Guiding Engaged, Resilient Learners |
EEO320 Humanities Education Across the Primary Levels [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit EEO101]
| ECE330 | Multiliterate Learners in Early Years and School Environments |
ECP327 Professional Engagement 1 (Primary School 1) [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE312 Lifespan Development [No longer available for enrolment, students to enrol in ECE340]
| ECE352 | Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers |
| ECE380 | Inquiry Into Science Curriculum |
| ECL310 | Multiliterate Learners in Middle Years Environments |
| ECE340 | Creative Learning Through the Arts |
| ESM310 | Teachers and Mathematics: Creating an Effective Classroom |
ECE350 Transition Case Study (2 credit points) [No longer offered, students to enrol in ECE420 & ECE404]
ECE390 Management and Leadership (No longer offered, students to enrol in ECE491. The 35-hour professional placement linked to ECE390 to be undertaken in ECE430)
Level 4 Units
ECE491 Perspectives of Management and Leadership [No longer available for enrolment, students to enrol in ECE380]
| ECE404 | Inclusive Education for Young Children |
ECP410 Professional Teaching Practice and Child Study (0-3 Years) [No longer available for enrolment]
| ECE420 | Supporting Children Making Transitions |
ECE430 Teacher as Researcher [No longer available for enrolment]
ECE455 Effective Primary Mathematics Learning [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit ESM310]
ECP427 Professional Engagement 2 (Primary School 2) [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit ETP403]
| EEO410 | Humanities Inquiry Pedagogy |
| EST400 | Primary Technology Education: Creativity and Design |
| ETP400 | Assessment: Ways of Knowing Learners |
| ETP403 | University-To-Work Transition |
EEO411 Humanities Education for F-2 Primary Levels [No longer offered, students to enrol in EEO410]
ECE475 Effective Partnerships for Learning [No longer offered, students to enrol in ECE130]
ESE499 Independent Project [No longer offered, students to enrol in ECE430 - Online only unit]
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
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.