Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| Course Credit Points | 24 |
| Deakin course code | E333 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2021 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 3-years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 102806B Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
If you are inspired to teach young children Deakin’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education prepares you to become a confident, capable educator. You will study areas including; child development, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, professional studies and key learning areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts.
Ranked #3 in Australia and #13 worldwide for education and educational research*, Deakin is also the only university to embed the Berry Street Education Model into all of our initial teaching degrees. You’ll graduate equipped with practical, trauma-informed strategies to support every learner. You’ll know how to manage safe, healthier and more engaging learning environments and build positive classroom relationships to promote academic success – giving you and your employer confidence.
You will complete placements, at least 80-days, in a range of early childhood settings, gaining the skills to teach children from birth to age five in this growing 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.
Deakin maintains close links with the education sector to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with professional input. You will be taught by experts who have teaching experience andare 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 schools and 500 early childhood centres 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.
You may also be eligible for an attractive scholarship offered by Deakin or by the Victorian Government for pre-service teachers enrolled in early childhood teaching courses.
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.
* U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2025-2026
**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.
Indicative student workload
Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.
Professional recognition
This program 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 will be eligible to register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Graduates who are intending to apply for registration interstate may be required to provide further information. Interstate applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory carefully.
Career opportunities
Employment in education and training is projected to grow by 12.4% or 150,100 new jobs by 2034 according to Australia Government employment projections.^ 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:
- consultancy
- NGOs
- policy
- research or community-based organisations (e.g. museums, outdoor education, arts institutions, etc)
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
^2024 Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections May 2024 to May 2034.
Participation requirements
Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full-time days per week over 2-5 weeks.
Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.
Some units will require students to attend early childhood settings or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences.
Mandatory student checks
Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.
Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.
Inherent requirements
It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Deakin University initial teacher education inherent requirements.
Immunisations
Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.
Pathways
Pathways for credit are available for this course. Details of institutional credit agreements are published in the RPL database. International students can apply for packaged offers for some of these pathways.
Applicants who have completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) are eligible to receive 8 Credit Points, gaining entry into the course in the second year.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (E320) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically evaluate theory and research informed principles and practices in early childhood education and apply these in accordance with relevant policy and regulatory settings and the changing conditions of contemporary society. |
| Communication | Effectively evaluate, apply and reflect on a range of communication strategies appropriate for early childhood education and care professionals. |
| Digital literacy | Critically evaluate a range of technologies to determine responsible and ethical use in educational settings and beyond and apply these appropriately to your professional development and engagement as a teaching professional. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate theory and practice and contextualise these within early childhood contexts to generate sound judgements and evidence informed practices. |
| Problem solving | Synthesise and evaluate information, perspectives and conditions to generate creative and responsive practices for diverse individuals and groups in early childhood education settings. |
| Self-management | Apply agency, autonomy and responsibility for professional development, practice and the pursuit of lifelong learning. |
| Teamwork | Work productively and respectfully in active collaboration with a range of diverse stakeholders and communities to achieve shared educational goals. |
| Global citizenship | Apply culturally responsive, critically reflective and embodied self-knowledge of decolonial praxis in the design, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning that honours and respects the educational expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and diverse learners, families and communities. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2025
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education 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
- ETI010 Trauma Informed Practice (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- ESL010 Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 24 credit points of core units
- 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
Year 1
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
To be completed in the first year of study:
| ETI010 | Trauma Informed Practice (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
| ESL010 | Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
Units
| ECE110 | Children's Development |
| ECE111 | Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy |
| ECE120 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession |
| ECE103 | Early Years Learning Environments |
| ECE112 | The Planning Cycle |
| ECE116 | Children's Health and Wellbeing |
| ECE130 | Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities |
| ECP128 | Introduction to Professional Practice and Infant/Toddler Pedagogy |
ECE140 Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts [No longer available for enrolment, ECE103 replaces this unit]
Year 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 |
| ECP252 | Professional Experience 1: Infant/Toddler Pedagogy and Early Mathematics |
| ECE270 | Guiding Engaged Learners |
| ECP228 | Professional Experience 2: Planning for Individual Children |
| IND202 | Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands |
ECE212 Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning [No longer available for enrolment, ECP252 replaces this unit]
ECL101 Science of Reading [No longer required for cohorts commencing from 2026, previously titled Understanding Early Reading Development]
Year 3
| ECE313 | Critical Inquiry: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care |
| ECE330 | Multiliterate Learners in Early Years and School Environments |
| ECE340 | Creative Arts 2: Visual Arts and Drama |
| ECP305 | Professional Experience 3: Group Planning and Transitions |
| ECE380 | STEM Inquiry Learning |
| ECE344 | Inclusive Education for Young Children |
| ECP316 | Professional Experience 4: Transitioning to the Teaching Profession |
| ECP703 | Protective Education and Children's Wellbeing |
ECE352 Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers [Only available to continuing students for 2026, ECP305 replaces this unit from 2027]
ECE370 Guiding Engaged, Resilient Learners [No longer available for enrolment, ECE270 replaces this unit]
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, ECP316 replaces this unit]
Work experience
Professional Experience Placement
Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of supervised professional experience placement in a wide range of education and care settings and a 5-day introductory placement experience in early childhood education and care settings across their degree, as outlined below:
- Year 1: 5-days in infant and toddler education and care settings (introductory).
- Year 2: 1 x 20-days in an infant and toddler education and care setting and 1 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting (40-days).
- Year 3: 2 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting.
The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for students’ placements.
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.
International student requirements
International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Commonwealth Prac Payment - Domestic students only
The Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to help eligible domestic students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place studying teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work cover the costs associated with mandatory placements. For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process please visit our Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) website.
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.