New Early Childhood Education degree a boost for Warrnambool region

Deakin University will offer an on-campus Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in Warrnambool from 2027, boosting the region’s educator workforce.

The three-year course will help address educator shortages in the South-West region, creating a workforce of skilled educators for children from birth to age five across early childhood and kindergarten settings.

Head Deakin’s School of Education, Professor Damian Blake, said the course would welcome school leavers, people looking for a career change in a growing and rewarding industry, as well as those already in the field.

'Educators already working in the sector with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care may be eligible to receive recognition for prior learning towards their degree, to increase their qualification,' he said.

'Our flexible learning options give students the option to study part-time alongside their paid work.

Early Childhood Education students will complete at least 80-days of placements, in a range of early childhood settings. Deakin arranges placements for students in early childhood education and care settings where they get hands-on experience from experienced early childhood teachers.

Free Kinder programs began in 2023 across Victoria. Under the scheme, the Victorian State government provides 15 hours of four-year-old kinder a week, and 5-15 hours of three-year-old kinder a week, eventually increasing to 30 hours a week for four-year-old kinder. Thousands of qualified educators will be required to meet demand.

Explore Deakin’s Warrnambool campus on the 2026 Open Day on Sunday 2 August from 9am–12.30pm.