Make a life-long difference to children and their futures.
The early years of children’s lives are incredibly important. This nationally accredited program focuses on children from birth to eight years. In this program you will develop competence and expertise to contribute to young children's sense of agency, wellbeing and learning capabilities.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- Applicants must demonstrate non-academic capabilities as per Personal Statement requirement. Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. Refer to English language requirements.
- ^ Semester 2 intake not available.
Only first year Early Childhood courses available at Gympie. Early Childhood students may continue with shared Primary courses at Gympie in second, third and fourth year.
- ^ Semester 2 intake not available.
Only first year Early Childhood courses available at Gympie. Early Childhood students may continue with shared Primary courses at Gympie in second, third and fourth year.
The early years of children’s lives are incredibly important. This nationally accredited program focuses on children from birth to eight years. In this program you will develop competence and expertise to contribute to young children's sense of agency, wellbeing and learning capabilities.
In this program you will:
- Learn about the importance of wellbeing, play and supportive environments in early learning
- Qualify to work and lead in childcare, kindergarten and primary school (with a focus on Prep to Year 3)
- Connect knowledge and practice through Supervised Professional Experiences in a range of early childhood and school settings
- Engage with community projects and work with children and their families to gain valuable Wider Field Experience
Personal statement requirement
As part of your application, you are required to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate your motivation for, and understanding of, the program and profession. In the questionnaire, you will be asked to rank a series of statements in order of what you think is most to least important. You will also need to write a 600-1000 word personal statement on why you think you would make a great teacher, and why influencing the future appeals to you. After you have submitted an application for this program, you will be contacted with further information about the written statement and how to complete your application.
More information is on the QTAC website.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 95 days of Supervised Professional Experience, 15 days of an internship and 75 hours of Wider Field Experience. You must obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing SPE. You can submit a free application for a Blue Card through the School of Education. Submit your Blue Card applications during Orientation Week of the semester you commence.
Before you are eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), you will need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE). Graduates are eligible to register with the Queensland College of Teachers for teacher registration, and to become members of Early Childhood Australia.
Career opportunities
Early Childhood teacher, primary school teacher, Early Childhood centre leader/director, tutor, education consultant, youth support, children's advocate.
Membership
Early Childhood Australia.
Registration
Queensland College of Teachers.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Group Processes and Practice
EDU101 Regions, Change and Sustainability
EDU103 Human Services Placement 1
EDU104 International Community Development and Global Justice
EDU109 Working With Families
EDU110 Human Services Placement 2
EDU112 Community Development and Social Action
EDU115 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
Developing and Graduate courses (24) 288 units
EDU206 Theories and Systems of Counselling and Psychotherapy
EDU208 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
EDU209 Relationship Counselling
EDU212 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
EDU213 Group Processes and Practice
EDU214 Developmental and Family Counselling
EDU216 Positive Psychology for Counselling
EDU217 Introduction to Psychology A
EDU218 Communication and Thought
EDU300 Human Development and Learning
EDU308 Integrating ICT into Learning
EDU309 Foundations of Literacy and Numeracy
EDU316 Professional Experience: Play and Pedagogy in Early Learning
EDU339 Engagement and Behaviour in Early Learning
EDU340 Professional Experience: Communities and Partnerships
EDU344 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
EDU361 Sustainability Through Play and Pedagogy
EDU400 Professional Experience: Learning Theories in Early Learning
EDU408 Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years
EDU409 Teaching Science in the Early Years
EDU410 Teaching English: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU415 Teaching Arts in the Early Years
EDU421 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
SCS203 Professional Experience: Evidence Based Decision Making in Early Learning ^
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete a minimum of 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience, plus 15 days in a childcare setting and 20 days of an internship, with the majority completed as full-time blocks
- Complete 75 hours of Wider Field Experience
- Successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.
To commence supervised professional experience (SPE) you must:
- Obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information
- Complete PrePlace and a Student Placement Agreement (further information will be provided by the placement office upon enrolment)
- Be willing to travel to attend supervised professional experience placements
- Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information regarding requirements for placements
Program notes
- EDU415 MUST be studied in your final semester of study with your final Professional Experience
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Cross-institutional study is not permitted for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to Early Childhood students
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- ^If SCS203 is not offered in Semester 2, students must contact a Progression Adviser for an alternative QCT approved equivalent course