#13 worldwide for education
Teaching placements arranged for you by Deakin
Employer-valued trauma-informed toolkit
Why choose early childhood education at Deakin
If you are inspired to teach young children, Deakin’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education prepares you to become a confident, capable educator. Ranked #3 in Australia and #13 worldwide for education and educational research, Deakin is also the only university to embed the Berry Street Education Model into our initial teaching degrees. This means you will graduate with practical skills to apply trauma-informed strategies that support every learner.
You will also learn how to create safe, healthy and engaging learning environments while building positive classroom relationships. These skills promote academic success and give both you and your employer greater confidence. Complete at least 80 days of placements in a range of early childhood settings, working with children from birth to age five. Study areas include child development, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, professional practice and key learning areas such as literacy, mathematics, science and the arts.
-
Accredited course
This program is approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates can also register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
-
Work experience built-in
Complete 80+ days of guaranteed placement, with one-on-one mentorship arranged across our network of 1,400 schools and 500+ early childhood centres.
-
Berry Street Education Model built-in
Deakin is the only university in Australia to embed the Berry Street Education Model and its trauma-informed practices into all initial teaching courses.
-
Scholarships
Access up to $25,000 to study early childhood education. Choose Deakin, ranked the #3 university in Australia and #13 worldwide for education.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Graduates are qualified to work in early childhood settings as early childhood teachers, educational leaders, coordinators or advisers.
Early childhood teacher
Work with young children (usually from birth to five years of age) to promote their learning and help them to develop key skills for the future.
- $93k
Typical salary in Australia
- 5.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Kindergarten teacher
Kindergarten teachers work with young children before formal education begins (pre-primary school) to help them develop social, emotional and physical skills, an interest in learning and other key abilities for the future.
- $95k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4,600
Jobs advertised
Workplace settings
- Consultancy
- NGOs
- Policy
- Research or community-based organisations
“I have had the privilege of working alongside children and mentors, in settings from birth to Grade 6, who have inspired growth in all areas of my teaching practice and enriched my love for learning and confidence in teaching.”
CaitlinBachelor of Early Childhood Education
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Deakin's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education covers child development, play-based pedagogy, curriculum design, inclusive education, family and community partnerships, and trauma-informed practice. You'll study the theory and practice of supporting children from birth to age five, and complete real placement hours in early childhood settings throughout the degree.
Deakin is the only Australian university to embed the Berry Street Education Model into all initial teacher education degrees, including early childhood. Trauma-informed practice teaches you to recognise and respond to the effects of trauma in young children, building safe and supportive learning environments. You'll develop evidence-based strategies that make a real difference in children's wellbeing and engagement.
Yes, if you hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you may be eligible for credit towards Deakin's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Credit reduces the number of units you need to complete, potentially shortening your degree. Apply for a credit assessment once you've accepted your offer to find out exactly how much credit applies to your situation.
Yes. Deakin offers the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education online, giving you the flexibility to study around work and family commitments. Some units and all placement hours must be completed in person, but much of the degree can be studied remotely. Deakin's online study options are a key reason many students choose Deakin, particularly those in regional areas or managing other commitments.
Education students can build confidence in specialised teaching spaces, classrooms and digital learning environments. At Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, the Nyaal interactive learning precinct includes a 360-degree theatre and collaborative spaces that help you explore classroom scenarios and prepare for professional placements. At the Melbourne Burwood Campus, there are specialist arts spaces and science teaching labs available to support your learning.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education?
Progress from core early childhood foundations to confident, work-ready practice, with trauma-informed learning and built-in supervised professional experience.
Strong foundations
How children learn and grow
Build a clear picture of development from birth to five, and what that means for play, relationships and learning in early childhood settings.
Health, safety and belonging
Focus on wellbeing, protective practices and inclusive learning environments, so you can support every child and work confidently with families and communities.
Your first professional steps
Start connecting theory to practice early with an introductory placement, building towards at least 80 days of supervised professional experience across the degree.
Building your teaching toolkit
Teaching study areas
Plan and teach learning in literacy, maths, science and the arts, building the habits of thinking like an educator.
Assessment and responsive planning
Strengthen your ability to observe, document and extend learning for individuals and groups, and use evidence to adjust your teaching.
Professional placement
Complete longer professional experience blocks across a range of early childhood settings.
Practice, inquiry and transition
Leading practice and partnerships
Refine how you work with colleagues, families and communities while navigating the policies and responsibilities that shape early childhood education.
Inclusive education
Tackle complex classroom realities, including diversity, additional needs and wellbeing, using practical, trauma-informed strategies to support learners.
Ready to register and graduate
Consolidate your skills through final placements, aligning your practice with expectations.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, you must pass 24 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
To be completed in the first year of study:
Units
ECE140 Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts [No longer available for enrolment, ECE103 replaces this unit]
ECE212 Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning [No longer available for enrolment, ECP252 replaces this unit]
ECL101 Science of Reading [No longer required for cohorts commencing from 2026, previously titled Understanding Early Reading Development]
ECE352 Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers [Only available to continuing students for 2026 and 2027]
ECE370 Guiding Engaged, Resilient Learners [No longer available for enrolment, ECE270 replaces this unit]
ECE420 Supporting Children Making Transitions [No longer available for students who have commenced from 2026, ECP316 replaces this unit]
ECE404 Inclusive Education for Young Children [No longer available for enrolment, ECE344 replaces this unit]
Professional recognition
This program is accredited in Australia as an initial teacher education qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an Early Childhood Teacher and may be able to register in other Australian states and territories. As requirements vary across jurisdictions and may
change, Deakin cannot guarantee or represent eligibility for registration outside Victoria. Graduates seeking interstate registration are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authority.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.
Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.
Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.
Inherent requirements
It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Deakin University initial teacher education inherent requirements.
Immunisations
Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.
Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.
Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full-time days per week over 2-5 weeks.
Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.
Some units will require students to attend early childhood settings or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences.
Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of supervised professional experience placement in a wide range of education and care settings and a 5-day introductory placement experience in early childhood education and care settings across their degree, as outlined below:
- Year 1: 5-days in infant and toddler education and care settings (introductory).
- Year 2: 1 x 20-days in an infant and toddler education and care setting and 1 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting (40-days).
- Year 3: 2 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting.
The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for students’ placements.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply directly through the NIKERI Institute
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Critically evaluate theory and research informed principles and practices in early childhood education and apply these in accordance with relevant policy and regulatory settings and the changing conditions of contemporary society. |
| Effectively evaluate, apply and reflect on a range of communication strategies appropriate for early childhood education and care professionals. |
| Critically evaluate a range of technologies to determine responsible and ethical use in educational settings and beyond and apply these appropriately to your professional development and engagement as a teaching professional. |
| Critically evaluate theory and practice and contextualise these within early childhood contexts to generate sound judgements and evidence informed practices. |
| Synthesise and evaluate information, perspectives and conditions to generate creative and responsive practices for diverse individuals and groups in early childhood education settings. |
| Apply agency, autonomy and responsibility for professional development, practice and the pursuit of lifelong learning. |
| Work productively and respectfully in active collaboration with a range of diverse stakeholders and communities to achieve shared educational goals. |
| Apply culturally responsive, critically reflective and embodied self-knowledge of decolonial praxis in the design, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning that honours and respects the educational expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and diverse learners, families and communities. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2025
- Award granted
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400511181 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400611181 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400711181 - Warrnambool, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- E333
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$4,908
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best.
Victorian Government scholarship
You may be eligible to receive up to $25,000 as part of the support provided by the Victorian Government to become an early childhood teacher. You need to enrol in this Deakin course before applying for the scholarship.
If you're eligible, the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) can help with the costs of completing a mandatory placement as part of your course. To find out if you're eligible and learn how to apply, visit Deakin’s Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) website.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Indigenous students
Deakin courses are flexible and culturally inclusive. There are multiple ways you can apply for this course, including through the NIKERI Institute and the Indigenous Access Scheme.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Previously Diploma of Children’s Services) offered through TAFE. Applicants who have completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education may receive 8 credit points of Recognition of prior learning reducing the total course duration by 2 trimesters of full-time study.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Pathways
If you don't have an ATAR, or it's been some time since you last studied, Deakin Uni Ready is a free online program that helps you build the academic skills and confidence needed for university study. The program prepares you for entry into a range of undergraduate degrees in arts, health, science or business.
Pathways for credit are available for this course. Details of institutional credit agreements are published in the RPL database. International students can apply for packaged offers for some of these pathways.
Applicants who have completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) are eligible to receive 8 Credit Points, gaining entry into the course in the second year.
Alternate exits
- Associate Degree of Educational Studies (E224)
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (E320)