Postgraduate - Course4202 - Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

This course is develops students' theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of early childhood teaching. Students form a broad conceptual understanding of the field of education as active participants in both on-campus classes and off-campus teaching practicum placements. The emphasis is on the underpinning theories in early childhood teaching and the development of a strong understanding of the theories of child development. The course highlights the range of early childhood services and the social context of early childhood provision for children aged birth to five, as well as the need for flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of families and young children. It also addresses the relationship between service provision and the families of young children and develops an understanding of the ethical requirements of early childhood teachers and the practical application of these requirements.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will:

• demonstrate inclusive practices that respect and draw on knowledge of young children and their families' diverse social, cultural, religious and ethnic community contexts and their effect upon children's educational attainments
• integrate theories of learning and teaching into a variety of early childhood service leadership and curriculum design contexts
• design, plan, implement and evaluate contemporary research-led early childhood teaching strategies
• understand how distinctive philosophical frameworks and traditions influence the contemporary early childhood field of practice
• meet Victorian accreditation requirements for appointment as an early childhood teacher in pre-schools, child care centres and services
• demonstrate the capacity to exercise professional leadership in relation to other early childhood staff.

Students must complete teaching practice which consists of a minimum of 60 days of satisfactory supervised early childhood setting experience. Those students who are employed in schools or other early childhood settings must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of supervised placement in a setting other than that in which they are employed. Students will only be permitted to complete a placement in their place of employment if they receive the required level of supervision. Students must be available to undertake placements on a full-time basis and attend their placement for full days at times determined by the faculty.

This course is designed to meet the requirement of the Early Childhood Australia (Victorian branch) for accreditation as an initial early childhood teaching qualification for children from age birth to five years.

This course comprises eight compulsory units and fieldwork placements.

Students complete:

Year 1

Semester 1

• EDF4910 Genealogies of early childhood
• EDF4911 Contemporary child development theory
• EDF5908 Researching childhood, family and community

Semester 2

• EDF5909 Placement in early childhood
• EDF5910 Policy and polity in early childhood
• EDF5911 Early childhood curriculum and design

Year 2

Semester 1

• EDF5912 Researching professional practice
• EDF5913 Educational and administrative leadership

An optional supplementary research methods and thesis component provides a pathway to doctoral qualifications.

Upon successful completion the first year (72 credit points), students are able to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood).

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)