Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Course code: 1515 + Course abbreviation: BECEd + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Peninsula)

Course description

This course is designed to fully prepare students for a career in a range of early childhood educational settings. The course explores a wide range of issues in teaching and children’s learning, and covers the key learning areas of the arts, English, mathematics, health and physical education, science, SOSE (Studies of Society and Environment), and technology. It also provides a recognised teaching qualification.

Course objectives

This course is designed to provide students with a program of studies and experiences, which should enable them to:

develop knowledge of, and critically reflect on, the theoretical foundations of human development and of education, especially those relevant to early childhood education
relate their own views and experiences in education, family and society to those of others and critically reflect on these
appreciate the implications the family, social, cultural and political contexts have for children’s development and learning, and how they impact on early childhood services
understand the professional role of the early childhood educator in a diverse and complex society which is undergoing rapid and continuous social and technological change
develop skills that will allow them to instigate and respond to change and to advocate effectively for young children, families and the early childhood profession
demonstrate competence in general care, appropriate curriculum planning and teaching skills, as well as administration and management across a range of children’s services
develop effective communication and interpersonal skills
have the skills and attitudes that foster a positive view of continued personal and professional development.

Course structure

The degree consists of two groups of studies:

teaching and curriculum studies, including teaching practicums, totalling 120 points
education studies, concerned with major issues in education, especially early childhood education, totalling 72 points.

Course requirements

First year

EDF1201 Computer essentials
EDF1203 Curriculum studies: primary English 1
EDF1204 Curriculum studies: primary mathematics 1
EDF1301 Perspectives on learning
EDF1302 Perspectives on teaching
EDF1503 Foundations of early childhood
EDF1513 Early childhood music
EDF1514 Visual arts in early childhood

Second year

EDF2201 Child development 1
EDF2202 Child development 2
EDF2203 Curriculum studies: primary studies of society and environment
EDF2204 Curriculum studies: primary science
EDF2501 Child development 3: child, health and safety
EDF2507 Early childhood teaching studies 1
EDF2508 Early childhood teaching studies 2
EDF3202 Curriculum studies: primary health and PE

Third year

EDF3201 Curriculum studies: primary art and music
EDF3203 Curriculum studies: primary technology
EDF3501 Early childhood literacy
EDF3502 Contexts and issues in family studies
EDF3504 Early childhood expressive arts
EDF3506 Cultural studies (early childhood)
EDF3507 Early childhood teaching studies 3
EDF3508 Early childhood teaching studies 4

Fourth year

EDF4201 Child development 4: children with additional educational needs
EDF4303 The teacher as a researcher
EDF4501 Early childhood maths, science and technology
EDF4502 The early childhood professional
EDF4504 Contemporary issues in early childhood
EDF4506 Administration and management
EDF4507 Early childhood teaching studies 5
EDF4508 Early childhood teaching studies 6

Professional recognition

On completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, graduates may seek employment in preschools, childcare centres, primary schools, and other children’s services and specialist early childhood settings in Victoria. For interstate and overseas positions, applicants are advised to check with local authorities.

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9904 4291, email undergraduate.peninsula@education.monash.edu.au or visit www.education.monash.edu.au/.

Course coordinator

Dr Susan Edwards

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