Early Childhood Education courses

The early childhood education sector in Australia is experiencing significant growth and there is an increasing demand for qualified early childhood education professionals. A career in early childhood education can be rewarding and satisfying. It is suited to people who are passionate about working with children in kindergarten and preschool settings.

Monash offer a range of programs in early childhood education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.   You will learn how to help children develop their creative, physical, personal, intellectual and social capabilities. You will also learn how to foster their literacy and numeracy skills in learning areas such as: arts, English, mathematics, information and communication technologies, physical education, science and humanities.

Which Early Childhood Education course should I choose?

The following options will help you choose the right program to suit your background and career aspirations.

Undergraduate courses (your first degree)

• The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is a four year undergraduate degree that will give you qualifications to teach in both early childhood settings and primary schools in Victoria.
• The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies has been designed for people who have a two year Diploma of Children’s Services or equivalent that are looking to upgrade their qualifications. You will receive one year recognition of prior learning in this three year program, thereby completing the program in just two years full time or three years part time. This program is offered in flexible delivery mode to suit working professionals.

Graduate Entry Teaching (you already have a degree)

• The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is designed for graduates who have completed a bachelor degree in any discipline and want to gain early childhood teaching qualifications.

Professional placements

Throughout the course, you will gain practical teaching experience by completing professional placement units. The Faculty's partnerships and placements office organise each placement. Students complete placements in a range of settings in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Australia. There are also exciting placement opportunities available in South Africa and the Cook Islands. The professional placement program draws the theoretical components of the course together with the practical aspects of teaching, giving you first hand teaching experience in the classroom before graduating

Visit the Professional placements page for more information

Career outcomes

Following registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, graduates (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education only) will be qualified to teach in Victorian primary schools.  You will also meet the requirements for accreditation with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This will qualify you to teach children from birth to five years in early childhood settings.