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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

  • Bachelor

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education prepares graduates to become qualified early childhood teachers for children from birth to five years. The program combines theory and practice, offering a Major in Special and Inclusive Education and includes 95 days of professional experience.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
4 semesters full-time
Course Code
3589, 117113H
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$4,627 per year
ATAR
70

About this course

Overview

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is designed to meet the increased demand for early childhood educators across the sector. Our degree prepares graduates to become reflective and responsive early childhood teachers who are qualified to work with children from birth to five years in early learning settings.

Designed to offer maximum flexibility in delivery modes, this highly structured program expertly combines theory and practice. The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education also offers students the unique opportunity to complete a Major in Special and Inclusive Education.

  • Number 1 university in NSW for Quality of Educational Experience and Teaching Quality for our education degrees.*
  • Cultural sensitivity and awareness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and communities considered in all courses.
  • 95 days of professional experience included in the degree so you learn to teach in real-world settings.
  • Ethical leadership and management in early childhood centres is a key focus, equipping you for leadership roles in your future career.

*Australian Government Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching 2023 Student Experience Survey, Teacher Education undergraduate category - qilt.edu.au

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English language proficiency.

We consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Select an option that best suits you:

  • Recent secondary education
  • Current or previous university experience
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Work and life experience
  • Discipline-specific requirements

Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

***** Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*****

OR

Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another university, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

OR

Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2025 admission, STAT results obtained in 2024, 2023 or 2022 can be considered).

Specific program requirements for admission of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students who have English as an additional language and are admitted on the basis of an international English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.0 in any of the four skill areas)

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

  • 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

Career pathways

Careers
  • Early childhood teacher
  • Early Childhood centre director/coordinator
  • Family day care educator
  • Education support officer
Industries
  • Government and private education
  • Health care
  • Family business
  • Social assistance
  • Recreation

Course structure

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

Credit for prior study or work

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another university, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

How to apply

Applying to Notre Dame

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Our unique admissions process goes beyond a single score. In addition to your academic record, we also consider your personal qualities, gifts and talents, your motivation to study and your contribution to community life.

Admission requirements

How to apply

Tell us about your extracurricular, community, and academic achievements and contributions.

How to Apply

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Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Teacher Education courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
93.5%
Overall satisfaction
90.8%
Skill scale
84.3%
Teaching scale
78.5%
Employed full-time
$68k
Average salary