Bachelor of Education – The Early Years

Early Years education enriches learning in children from birth to five years by giving children the opportunity to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for lifelong learning. It focuses on the significance of early education to foster children’s health, development and wellbeing.

You will learn with the latest education technology, including access to UOW's new Early Start facility, which connects our Wollongong and regional campuses with early childhood education and care services across NSW, and with partners in national and international institutions.

For the duration of this degree, you will engage in continuous professional mentoring through the Professional Partners in Practice (PPP) degree. This will give you invaluable sector experience and professional connections that will enhance your employment pathways and opportunities.

You will spend up to 16 weeks teaching in Early Childhood Education and Care services and 10 days in the Community and Family sector, complementary to the mentoring experience within the Professional Partners in Practice degree.

You will also have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion degrees.

Accelerated Pathway Degree for Diploma-Qualified Educators: The Bachelor of Education – The Early Years offers an accelerated pathway option that has been co-developed with the sector and is designed to support the upskilling of Diploma-qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers in just two years. Delivered fully online across three academic sessions per year, this pathway supports educators by offering a flexible professional experience degree that aims to enhance educator engagement, allows educators to continue earning an income while studying, and minimises disruptions for their employers. In addition to the unique course design and professional experience, students will be paired with a mentor from the sector to ensure they receive ongoing support throughout the degree. 

Areas of study

The development of young children and their connection to family, community, and culture; improvement of education and developmental outcomes for children; how to establish positive relationships with children and families; cultural and social diversity; early intervention and transition to school; leadership and advocacy; creation of physical and social learning environments

Career opportunities

Early childhood teacher, long daycare centres, family support services, government and non-government agencies and play therapy.

Professional recognition

Accredited with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority as an early childhood teacher qualification.

Practical experience

Compulsory professional experience assessed in each year of the degree and mentoring in the field for the duration of the degree are mandatory components.

Honours

Embedded in the fourth year of the degree and entry is dependent on merit in the first three years of the course.

Fees and charges

Refer to University of Wollongong current fee information.