Postgraduate - Course4202 - Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

This course 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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• 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 to respond to the needs of families and young children
• understand how distinctive philosophical frameworks and traditions influence the contemporary early childhood field of practice
• demonstrate the capacity to exercise professional leadership in relation to other early childhood educators in national and international contexts
• be familiar with the policy frameworks that frames early childhood education nationally and internationally.

Students must complete teaching practice which consists of a minimum of 65 days of satisfactory supervised early childhood setting experience. Students will only be given permission to complete a placement in their place of employment in exceptional circumstances and if they will receive the required level of supervision. Where permission is granted, students will not be permitted to undertake more than 50 per cent of the placement in their place of employment. 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 requirements of the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for accreditation as an initial early childhood teaching qualification for children from age birth to five years.

This course consists of eight compulsory units and fieldwork placements.

Students must complete:

• EDF5906 Genealogies of early childhood
• EDF5907 Contemporary child development theory*
• EDF5908 Researching childhood, family and community*
• EDF5909 Placement in early childhood*
• EDF5910 Policy and polity in early childhood
• EDF5911 Early childhood curriculum and design
• EDF5912 Researching professional practice
• EDF5913 Educational and administrative leadership

* Includes a number of days of professional placement or other off-campus activity. Refer to unit entry for details.

Students wishing to exit the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) early may apply to graduate with the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) after successful completion of 72 points of study.

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)