Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Apply analytical and critical skills to transform and disrupt thinking in early childhood educational based practice.
• Analyse and apply diverse ways of knowing and learning in early childhood education settings to inform connected and compassionate ways of teaching including environmental and sustainable practices.

GA2: Creativity

• Apply analytical and critical skills to transform and disrupt thinking in early childhood educational based practice.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Apply knowledge and understanding of professional, ethical, legislative requirements and human rights principles in education settings.
• Analyse and apply knowledge and ethical practices regarding children's services and child protection legislation to create and maintain safe, inclusive, and responsive learning environments that uphold the rights and wellbeing of all children.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Analyse and apply diverse ways of knowing and learning in early childhood education settings to inform connected and compassionate ways of teaching including environmental and sustainable practices.
• Analyse and apply an evidence-based understanding and knowledge of pedagogy for effective early childhood educational practice.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Analyse and apply knowledge and ethical practices regarding children's services and child protection legislation to create and maintain safe, inclusive, and responsive learning environments that uphold the rights and wellbeing of all children.
• Apply learning and reflective practice to develop personal and professional skills, including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Apply learning and reflective practice to develop personal and professional skills, including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity.
• Communicate clearly, coherently and independently in both oral and written forms and apply these skills for effective teamwork and leadership.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Apply a broad knowledge of how culture, identity, and language shape Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's education, and apply to create inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive learning environments.
• Analyse and apply knowledge and ethical practices regarding children's services and child protection legislation to create and maintain safe, inclusive, and responsive learning environments that uphold the rights and wellbeing of all children.

There is a very high demand for qualified early childhood educators in early childhood education centres and preschools.

This three-year degree is an ACECQA-approved early childhood teacher qualification for early childhood settings with children from birth to five years. [Please check specific requirements in your state or territory for early childhood teachers.

Our cutting-edge course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leading research in early childhood education and development.

Core units cover early childhood principles and practices, child development theory and application, supporting children’s learning and pedagogical approaches for early childhood education. You will also investigate contemporary issues in early childhood education, leadership and management, the arts, and health and wellbeing in the early childhood environment.

You’ll complete 85 days of professional teaching experiences in early childhood education settings as well as 10 days in a primary school setting (total 680 hours), enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge in real world educational settings.

Full-time enrolment may require study in some years across the six study terms, from January to December.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, students must complete the equivalent of 28 units (288 credit points), comprising:

• 24 core units (288 credit points)
• 4 Professional Experience units (0 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Inclusion Support website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Inclusion Support website for further information and contact details.

Teacher registration

All states and territories have different requirements for teacher registration. Graduates are advised to check the early childhood teacher registration requirements for their state or territory, including English Language Proficiency requirements as advised by ACECQA.

Choose your subjects

Majors

Core content areas cover:

• Literacy, language and pedagogical approaches
• Issues in contemporary education
• Leadership and management
• Health and wellbeing in the early childhood environment.

Please note: Some units in this course are only delivered online and online students may need to attend on-campus workshops.

Exit points

Students may be eligible to exit with the Associate Degree of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Education after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $14,712

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Revolutionary learning for strong employment outcomes

At Southern Cross University, online study is designed to fit around your life without compromising on quality. Through the Southern Cross Model, you learn in focused six-week terms, usually studying one or two units at a time.

This immersive approach helps you stay motivated, build momentum and balance study with work, family and other commitments.

You'll be supported by innovative teaching, practical learning experiences and a university community committed to your success - whether you're interested in business, education, healthcare, law, engineering, IT, science or other career-focused study areas.

Your flexible online study comes with the support, connections and confidence to help you achieve your goals and take the next step in your career.

Learn more about Southern Cross University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

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32

ATAR: 60 or equivalent.

Southern Cross Uni's Early Offer program also allows Year 12 students to secure a place in most Southern Cross University undergraduate degrees before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results. Excludes Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours). 

To meet the minimum English language requirement, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:

1. have completed senior secondary study equivalent of Australian Year 12 or have completed at least one year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study) at AQF diploma equivalent or higher where:
   1. the country where those studies were undertaken is listed in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2, Section 2 – English Language Proficiency Requirements and
   2. the language of instruction was English; or
2. achieved a minimum test score within two (2) years of the date of application for admission, equal to or above the minimum listed below:
   1. International English Language Test System (IELTS). The applicant must have a minimum overall score of 6.5, including a minimum result of 6.5 in speaking and listening, reading and writing; or
   2. International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR). The applicant must have a score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
3. successfully completed SCU's Preparing for Success Program, Transition to Uni Program, or English Language Program. 

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.

• Overall: 6.5
• Listening: 6.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Speaking: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

This course includes 85 days of professional experience learning in early childhood education settings, as well as 10 days in primary schools (a total of 680 hours). As detailed in the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements, prerequisites regarding national and state-based regulatory requirements must be met prior to commencing professional experience placements. All professional experience learning days must be completed for graduation, with professional behaviour and conduct upheld at all times. Students are responsible for travel to attend placements, which may not always be within their local area.