Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Core curriculum

The core curriculum is embedded in every degree. It is a distinguishing characteristic of Notre Dame and provides our graduates with transferable skills that are integral to every industry, vocation and profession, laying the foundation for a fulfilling career and a purposeful life.

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
• Electives in philosophy and/or theology
• Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
• An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g. World Youth Day
• An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy and theology with community service and charity work
• An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Real-world experience

Notre Dame offers more professional experience than other providers through which you will gain the real-world skills and experience needed to thrive in the early childhood education industry.

First year

• EDUC1032 Contemporary Theories On Child Development and Learning
• EDUC1027 Inclusion and Diversity in Early Childhood
• EDUC1033 Understanding and Guiding Children’s Behaviour
• EDUC1034 Play as Pedagogy
• EDUC1035 Health, Wellbeing and Fundamental Movement Skills
• EDUC1028 Teaching and Learning in Context
• EDUC1036 Holistic Care for Young Children

Second year

• EDUC2046 Foundations of Language and Literacy
• EDUC2059 Mathematical Development – B–5 years Numeracy and Mathematics
• EDUC2064 Pedagogical Documentation in Early Childhood
• EDUC3046 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students: Culturally Responsive Connections
• EDUC2068 Scientific and Digital Inquiry in Early Childhood
• EDUC2066 Catering for Children with Special Needs
• EDUC2067 Integrating Language and Literacy Through the Arts

Third year

• EDUC3061 Families and Partnerships in Teaching and Learning
• EDUC3063 Language and Literacy 1
• EDUC3093 The Educational Leader
• EDUC3054 The Reflective Practitioner
• EDUC3065 Communication Needs and Challenges in ECE
• EDUC3064 Early Intervention in Early Childhood Contexts
• EDUC3056 Trends in Early Childhood Education and Care
• EDUC3094 Professional Experience 3: Early Childhood Education (3–5 years)

Fourth year

• EDUC4034 Research Ethics with Young Children
• EDUC4035 Sustainability and Environmental Education
• EDUC4008 Leadership and Management in the Early Years
• EDUC4042 Autism Spectrum in Early Childhood
• EDUC4043 Differentiated Learning Project
• EDUC4038 Professional Engagement (co-requisite with EDUC4056)
• EDUC4036 Research Capstone
• EDUC4056 Professional Experience Internship: Early Childhood Education

Major

The major in Special and Inclusive Education includes five compulsory courses taken by all students:

• EDUC1027 Inclusion and Diversity in Early Childhood
• EDUC1032 Contemporary Theories in Child Development and Learning
• EDUC3064 Early intervention in Early Childhood Contexts
• EDUC2066 Catering for Children with Special Needs
• EDUC4036 Research Capstone

To complete this major, students must additionally complete an additional three courses:

• EDUC3065 Communication Needs and Challenges in Early Childhood Education
• EDUC4042 Autism Spectrum in Early Childhood
• EDUC4043 Differentiated Learning Project

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education graduates will be able to:

• Explain historical and contemporary theories and practices in early years education
• Outline the influence of a range of social, emotional, cognitive, creative, language, spiritual and physical factors on the design and delivery of early years education
• Review early childhood education to ensure compliance with policy frameworks and curriculum
• Plan, program and evaluate the delivery of early childhood education
• Communicate and collaborate to design and deliver early years education
• Draw on a range of alternative pedagogical frameworks, curriculum approaches and teaching strategies to guide and engage young learners
• Respond to the individual needs of learners with special or additional needs and who speak languages other than, or in addition to, English
• Create safe, caring and inclusive learning experiences that support language, social and emotional development to facilitate successful transitions into future learning
• Partner with family and community members in the planning and delivery of early childhood education
• Engage in critical reflection, advocacy and research in the development of the professional and professional identity
• Respect and include diverse perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, in culturally diverse and socially inclusive early childhood education

Practical component

Graduates of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education complete 19 weeks (95 days) of professional experience in a range of settings to prepare them to confidently enter their profession.

In order to undertake professional experience students will require: