Become an early childhood teacher
Help young children develop the skills they’ll use for a lifetime. Studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education online from Swinburne will qualify you to teach children from six weeks to eight years old in childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools. You will learn how to engage children through activities such as art, music, maths and literacy. You’ll also develop the skills you need to respond to diversity and help each child get the most out of their education during their formative years.
Led by experienced education professionals, you will learn both online and through placements in early childhood settings. Our unique partnership with G8 Education, one of Australia's leading early childhood education providers, gives you additional access to placements and graduate opportunities across the country.
Once you graduate, you’ll be qualified to practice as a childcare professional or primary teacher, with accreditation from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
This course is not available to International students.
Career opportunities
Early Childhood Teacher
Play a vital role in developing the coordination, social skills, creativity and self-expression of young children.
Kindergarten Teacher
Begin the education journey with young children by establishing reading, writing and basic math skills.
Early Childhood Teaching Director
Develop the curriculum, set policies and oversee daily operations of an early childhood centre.
Learning at Swinburne Online
Taught by teachers
With Swinburne you can study the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) online. Designed and taught by experienced early childhood professionals and teachers, is an accredited degree from a university ranked among the top 3% in the world. It is recognised by VIT and meets the national standards set by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). So once you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as an early childhood professional or primary teacher anywhere in Australia.
A community of future educators
At Swinburne Online, you will be part of an online community of future educators. Our education students have their own dedicated community site, where they share ideas, get advice and discuss their teaching placements. So you’ll learn from other people’s experiences, as well as your own. You will be supported by experienced eLearning Advisors (eLAs), and form valuable networks with professionals working in the field.
A unique learning experience
You shouldn’t have to put your life on hold to study, so we have created a unique education degree that combines online learning with real life teaching experience. Our teaching course has been specifically designed to prepare you for the twenty-first century classrooms you will be teaching in. You’ll learn in a live, interactive environment, where you will create lesson plans and devise teaching strategies that foster your students’ development and unleash their imagination. Most importantly, you will get to teach in real early childhood settings and apply all of the practical skills you’ve learnt.
Professional placement
We know that students become great teachers through a mix of theory and practical experience. That’s why you will spend 91 days teaching in a range of learning environments as part of your degree. Your placements will see you paired with a mentor teacher at both primary schools and early childhood centres near you. This will give you the chance to apply the skills you’ve learnt online, spend time with a diverse range of children, and build your confidence as a teacher.
What you will learn
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Curriculum Planning
Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.
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Child Behaviour
Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.
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Health and Activity
Explore a range of issues surrounding children’s health, nutrition and safety.
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Twenty-first Century Teaching
Embrace the role of being a teacher in an era of rapid change.
Support and assistance
Everyone has questions from time to time. That’s why we have a dedicated team of tutors and support staff on-call to help you, seven days a week. So whether you need help with a lesson plan or have a technical issue, there’s always someone you can talk to.
Course units
- COM10003 Learning and Communicating Online
- EDU10001 Introduction to Curriculum Planning and Assessment: Practicum 1
- EDU10002 Understanding Language and Literacy
- EDU10003 The World of Maths
- EDU10004 Theories of Teaching and Learning
- EDU10005 Indigenous Education and Perspectives
- EDU10006 Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century
- EDU10007 Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development for Early Childhood
- EDU20001 Developing Literacy
- EDU20002 Mathematics in Practice
- EDU20003 Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development
- EDU20004 Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
- EDU20005 Sustainable Education and Perspectives
- EDU20006 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Primary: Practicum 2
- EDU30001 Imagining the World through Language and Literature
- EDU30002 Science and Technology
- EDU30003 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants: Practicum 3
- EDU30004 Wellbeing and Resilience
- EDU30005 Understanding and Supporting Inclusion
- EDU30006 Families and Community
- EDU30007 Imagining the World through the Arts
- EDU30008 Introduction to Educational Leadership and Management
- EDU40001 The Healthy and Active Child
- EDU40002 Play and Environment
- EDU40003 Identity: The Early Childhood Professional
- EDU40004 Advocacy and Social Justice
- EDU40005 Ready to Teach Primary: Practicum 4e
- EDU40006 Ready to Teach Early Childhood: Practicum 5e
- Electives 4 elective units
Entry criteria
From 2018, under the new AITSL and government Initial Teacher Education (ITE) requirements, all students applying to ITE courses across Australia will need meet suitability for teaching (non-academic selection) criteria as a part of course entry criteria. Find out more.
Entry via non-teaching pathway degree.
Non-Year 12 entry
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success. Read our Applying and Enrolling FAQs.
The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Year 12 entry
Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
VCE Pre-requisites
- Applicants must meet the associated minimum ATAR score
- Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
The full Course Information Set and Whole of Institution Set are available for reference.
Courses are only available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holders. Once enrolled, all applicants must provide relevant Child Safety Screening clearance as your state of residence requires and maintain clearances throughout the duration of the program.
