Early Childhood Education

Course overview

Gain the skills, knowledge and practical learning experiences to teach young children (aged from birth to eight years) in early education settings.

These include early learning and childcare centres, kindergarten, pre-primary and junior primary classes.

Your learning will address the specific needs of early childhood educators, ensuring you graduate with the competencies required to be a successful teacher.

Career outcomes

Careers

• Early childhood teacher
• Junior primary teacher
• Childhood education advisor / reviewer
• Early learning centre educator / manager

Industries

• Early education (government and non-government)
• Education (government and non-government)

Professional accreditation and recognition

This course is accredited in Australia by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, and accredited in Western Australia by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

Course structure

What you’ll learn

In this course, you will learn about child development, the curriculum areas and the importance of family partnerships. You’ll also choose two elective units from a list of education subjects to broaden your learning. 

All units are mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority Framework. Additionally, you will build a professional digital portfolio that showcases your teaching abilities to potential employers.

Teaching placements

As part of the course you will complete four teaching placements in schools or early learning centres. Totalling 840 hours of supervised teaching practice, the placements are undertaken in full-time blocks, regardless of your study mode. You may be able to undertake a rural, interstate or overseas placement.

Your supervised teaching practice will comprise:

• a three-week full-time block in the second year of your course
• five one-day visits plus a three-week full-time block, and a four-week full-time block in the third year of your course
• a block of one school term (typically 10 weeks) in the final year of your course.

Detailed course structure and unit information

For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.

Entry requirements

To study this course, you must meet the entry criteria:

• course ATAR, or equivalent, demonstrated via an accepted entry pathway
• any course-specific requirements
• English language requirement.

Guaranteed entry
If you achieve the guaranteed ATAR/selection rank for this course and meet all other entry requirements, you’re guaranteed a place in this course.

Entry pathways

Course-specific requirements

You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.

Study credit and support

You may be able to receive study credit or support based on your previous experience or personal circumstances.

Get credit towards your degree

You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.

Special consideration

If your studies were affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for special consideration when applying to Curtin. This process is available to new applicants only and allows your application to be assessed in light of those circumstances.

Check if you’re eligible for special consideration.

Additional information

Application Requirements

Please refer to our application requirements before applying for this Curtin course.