100% Online

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

Develop the skills to nurture children's confidence, curiosity, and growth.

  • – Build a solid understanding of educational theory, child behaviour, curriculum planning, and practical classroom management
  • – Apply your learning through professional placements in early childhood settings
  • – Accredited by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
  • – We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants, who are not subject to course quotas and can apply at any time
Icon Learning Mode

100% Online

Learning Mode tooltip

Icon Qualification

Undergraduate

Qualification

Icon Duration

4 years full-time

Duration tooltip

Icon Start Dates

Mar, Jul, Nov

Start Dates

Icon Units

32

Units

Icon Fees

$592*

Fees Per Unit tooltip

OVERVIEW

What is the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)?

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) is an accredited undergraduate degree that qualifies you to work as an early childhood teacher in preschools, kindergartens, and early learning centres across Australia.

Completed over four years, you’ll develop a foundation in educational theory, literacy and numeracy. You’ll learn all the practical skills and techniques you need to manage a classroom and the specific needs of pre-primary aged children. You will have the opportunity to implement these techniques in your practicums.

Designed for aspiring teachers and early childhood professionals, this degree prepares you to support young children’s learning, growth and development while working towards a recognised teaching qualification.

This course is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), the national body responsible for setting and maintaining standards in early childhood education and care. Upon graduation, you’ll be qualified to seek registration as an early childhood teacher and work in the pre-primary sector across Australia.

How you’ll study

  • – The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
  • – Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per week, per unit.
  • – Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
  • – You’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
  • – Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

This course is not available to international students.

Course Highlights

Classroom Management Techniques: Learn practical, age-appropriate classroom management techniques that help nurture a positive and dynamic learning environment for children aged 0–5.

Practical Skills for Early Childhood Teaching: Apply early-childhood specific learning techniques in group learning contexts, preparing dynamic lesson plans that harness the education potential of play and creativity.

Curriculum Planning: Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.

Child Behaviour: Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.

Professional accreditations

Kate-Graduation-BW

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online Education graduate

3.9▴

As an Early Childhood Teacher, you’ll join a career with a 3.9 satisfaction rating (SEEK), seen as rewarding and truly inspiring.

The Good Universities Guide 2024

Our undergraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, learning resources, skills development, teaching quality and student support.

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online Education graduate

3.9▴

As an Early Childhood Teacher, you’ll join a career with a 3.9 satisfaction rating (SEEK), seen as rewarding and truly inspiring.

Our undergraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, learning resources, skills development, teaching quality and student support.

The Good Universities Guide 2024

Swinburne Online

Your pathway to the career of your dreams

Structure

Your course breakdown:

To be awarded the Bachelor of Education with a major in Early Childhood Teaching you must complete 32 units in total, with 4 mandatory placements throughout your studies.

Each year is split into 3 Teaching Periods (13 weeks per Teaching Period). You can choose to study full-time or part-time depending on your preference.

How do professional placements work?

Professional experience placements are a mandatory component of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) and a great way for you to gain real classroom experience. Placements are completed alongside online coursework.

  • You’ll do four supervised placements in approved early childhood school settings.
  • Placements are completed under the guidance of an approved supervising teacher.
  • You’ll source your own placements but can ask for guidance from your learning advisors.

What you’ll study:

 

Introduction to Academic Language, Literacy and Numeracy in Education

Understanding Language and Literacy

The World of Maths

Theories of Teaching and Learning

Indigenous Education and Perspectives

Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century

Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development

Developing Literacy

Mathematics in Practice

Sustainable Education and Perspectives

Understanding and Supporting Behaviour

Imagining the World through Language and Literature

Science and Technology

Understanding and Supporting Inclusion

Families, Community and Citizenship

Imagining the World through the Arts

Educational Leadership, Management and Program Assessment

Well-Being and Resilience

The Healthy and Active Child

Play and Environment

Identity: The Early Childhood Professional

Advocacy and Social Justice

Nature Pedagogies

Achieving High Quality Early Learning

Complete four (4) electives to round out your degree. Tailor your course to suit your strengths, interests, and career goals by choosing elective units. View our list of available Electives.

Introduction to Curriculum, Planning and Assessment: Practicum 1

Curriculum, Planning and Assessment: Practicum 2

Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants: Practicum 3E

Ready to Teach Early Childhood: Practicum 5e

Entry Requirements

Entry Criteria

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

  • – A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
  • – 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
  • – Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score

Please note that we have limited availability in our Bachelor of Education courses all year round due to limited CSP (Commonwealth Supported Places) offerings, so we cannot guarantee places will be available throughout the entire calendar year.

Want to discuss your eligibility for the Bachelor of Education with a major in Early Childhood Teaching? Get in touch with our course consultant team on 1300 069 765 to discuss more today!

Other requirements

All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority.

A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement.

Need more info?

We have plenty of resources to help you! Visit our Applying and Enrolling FAQs or chat with a Course Consultant for advice on your specific situation.

Fees & Scholarship

  • The estimated fee per unit is $592*.
  • There are 32 units in this course, each unit is worth 12.5 credit point units.

*Note: Unit fees may change each year.

There are several ways to help manage your course fees:

  • Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): Available to Australian Citizens and eligible Permanent Residents, and this will help reduce your course fees.
  • HECS-HELP Loans: Available to Australian Citizens, which will help you defer your fees.
  • Learn more about HELP Loans

There are a variety of Swinburne Scholarships to help reduce your costs.

  • University-funded scholarships
  • Government-funded scholarships
  • Private scholarships and prizes

Scholarships are available for both new and current students.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarships

There are a range of scholarships available to support Indigenous students in minimising the costs of study materials, accommodation, relocation and more.

How it works:
1. Check eligibility
2. Gather the relevant documentation
3. Produce a personal statement
4. Obtain your references
5. Apply online here

Please contact our Course Consultants to find out if you’re eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.

Credit for prior study:

  • Good news — if you’re awarded academic credit for prior study, your course fees could be lower! This means a cheaper degree!

Services & amenities fee:

For more details on scholarships and financial support, speak with our Course Consultant team today!

Career Outcomes

Career opportunities with the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

A career in early childhood education lets you combine a passion for child development with real, lasting impact. Below are examples of roles you can pursue after graduating, along with average annual salaries via SEEK.

$85,000 to $100,000 Average Salary

Play a crucial role in the development of young children, typically from birth to age five, by providing care, education, and a nurturing environment. They work in various settings, and are responsible for planning and implementing play-based learning programs.

Play a crucial role in the development of young children, typically from birth to age five, by providing care, education, and a nurturing environment. They work in various settings, and are responsible for planning and implementing play-based learning programs.

$90,000 to $105,000 Average Salary

Help pre-primary school children develop social, emotional and physical skills, typically aged three to six, in the years before they start formal schooling. Create a play-based learning environment, nurturing children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through various activities and interactions.

Help pre-primary school children develop social, emotional and physical skills, typically aged three to six, in the years before they start formal schooling. Create a play-based learning environment, nurturing children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through various activities and interactions.

$85,000 to $110,000 Average Salary

Lead and manage an early learning center, ensuring a high-quality, safe, and nurturing environment for children. This role involves overseeing daily operations, curriculum development, staff management, and compliance with regulations.

Lead and manage an early learning center, ensuring a high-quality, safe, and nurturing environment for children. This role involves overseeing daily operations, curriculum development, staff management, and compliance with regulations.

$95,000 to $130,000 Average Salary

Oversee the operations of a childcare center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and education while also managing staff and resources. Manage program planning, staff recruitment and professional development, financial management, and maintaining compliance.

Oversee the operations of a childcare center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and education while also managing staff and resources. Manage program planning, staff recruitment and professional development, financial management, and maintaining compliance.

How does this degree prepare you for a career in early childhood education?

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) is designed to help you develop the confidence, practical skills and knowledge required to support young children’s learning and development.

Hands-On Experience: The degree includes multiple teaching placements, giving you real-world classroom experience and making you job-ready from day one.

Transferable Skills: Support children’s holistic development across literacy, numeracy, social-emotional growth and physical wellbeing.

Solid Foundation: Graduate ready to meet the evolving needs of early childhood education through a practical, accredited degree.

Career Opportunities: This degree qualifies you to work as a fully registered early childhood teacher to work in preschools, kindergartens, and childcare centres.

Online Study

What's it like to study with Swinburne Online?

Each degree is thoughtfully designed for online learning, ensuring your experience is fulfilling and supported. At Swinburne Online, we want to ensure that your journey with us is a success. Our team of academic and online experts have developed engaging, media-rich course materials using cutting-edge digital technology and advanced teaching resources.

Your online study journey

 

Award icon

Here’s what you can expect

  • Personalise your study journey with full-time or part-time options — 100% online, no travel needed
  • Start when it suits you with multiple intake dates
  • Study on your terms, balancing life, family, and work — anytime, anywhere
  • Stay connected with students and industry experts through discussion boards and virtual classrooms
  • Get support 7 days a week for general help whenever you need it
  • Learn with confidence with dedicated online tutors for each unit, ready to answer all your academic questions

 

Learning Mode icon

Your online classroom: Canvas

Canvas is Swinburne’s online platform where all your classwork will take place. You can log into Canvas anywhere, anytime!

What you’ll use Canvas for:

  • Explore all your units and modules
  • Watch learning sessions in your own time
  • Participate in group discussions and communicate with tutors and classmates
  • Receive assessments and feedback
  • Track your study progress
  • Log in on your desktop or mobile

FLEXIBLE STUDY AT SWINBURNE ONLINE

Entry Criteria icon

Your Online Campus: The Student Hub

Think of the Student Hub as your online campus where you will be able to:

  • Manage your enrolment and university administration services
  • Keep up with your fees, key course dates, and study information
  • Access library and technical support
  • Access student support such as: Study Buddies, HelpHub, study planners, and more
Asking a Question icon

Dedicated student support at Swinburne Online

You are supported at every stage of your journey with Swinburne Online.

You’ll have access to:

  • Student Advisors – to help plan your course, enrol you in units and assist with other general enquiries you may have
  • Online Learning Advisors – to support you with unit content, assessments and referencing
  • Student Coaches – who can advise you on best practice study habits, motivation, and time management
  • Study Buddies – connects you with peers to collaborate on coursework, share knowledge and stay motivated
  • 7‑day support – to assistant you at any time

Indigenous Student Services

If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student, you can access dedicated support through Swinburne’s Moondani Toombadool Centre. Moondani Toombadool means ‘embracing teaching and learning’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri People! 

Support available includes: 

  • Dedicated student support services 
  • Indigenous Academic Support Program (IASP) 
  • Cultural and engagement programs 
  • Networking opportunities, career support and much more 

Learn more about the Moondani Toombadool Centre.

Learn more about units, fees, entry criteria, career outcomes and more.

Download a course guide

The Swinburne Online-SEEK connection

The suite of Swinburne Online Business degrees provides students with the opportunity to forge connections within the industry. Students hear from industry leaders and work with real-life clients with demonstrated experience within their respective fields, such as SEEK.