Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Study Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) at Flinders

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children?

This degree is designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to teach and care for children from birth to 5 years of age. Whether you're interested in working at childcare centres, kindergartens, or preschools, this course combines hands-on experience with the latest educational theory.

You'll learn how to plan creative, play-based learning activities that spark curiosity and help children grow. Discover how to create supportive environments where every child—no matter their background—feels valued and included. Plus, you’ll explore Indigenous perspectives and how these ways of knowing can shape better learning for all children.

If you're looking for a career where you can inspire the next generation, this degree could be your next step.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

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Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2024 selection rank

N/A

Guaranteed selection rank

75.00

TAFElink

Advanced Diploma or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

245161 (Bedford Park) 284951 (City)

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park
– City

Online: Yes

Duration

3 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2024: TBC

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Apply via SATAC

245161 (Bedford Park)

284951 (City)

Why study Early Childhood Education at Flinders

Gain the skills employers are seeking with our nationally and internationally recognised transformative curriculum, based on contemporary research understandings of how to prepare effective teachers.
Qualify job-ready to work with children aged birth-5 in early childhood services, preschools, kindergartens and Early Learning Centres.
Get a feel for the early childhood settings that you’re most passionate about, with a minimum of three professional placements across a range of birth to 5 settings.

Your career

The Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5) opens up exciting opportunities and equips you with expert knowledge and practical skills to teach and support children from birth to 5 years old.

You'll gain hands-on experience and develop strong relationship-building skills that are essential for working in community settings like childcare centers, kindergartens, and preschools.

With this qualification, you'll be ready to inspire young minds and make a real impact in early childhood education.

Potential occupations include:

Teacher in long-day childcare and preschools
Teacher in a private Early Learning Centre
Team leader in long-day childcare services
Director or manager at a long-day childcare centre
Director at a kindergarten or preschool
Curriculum and policy advisor.

Potential employers include:

Long-day childcare centres
Preschools
Kindergartens
Early Learning Centre
Government
Not-for-profits.

Accreditation:

This degree is pending accreditation by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)

This academic qualification will enable you to apply for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia. You are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.

Graduates looking for employment in other parts of Australia and overseas may be required to meet additional conditions. Graduates meet The ACECQA employment criteria.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

exploration of the importance of play for young children’s learning and development and the theories and philosophies that have and continue to influence early childhood education
the first year of study sees pre-service teachers embark on their first professional experience placement as they combine theory with practice
an opportunity to explore learning through the Expressive Arts including specialised experiences with experts in the field

Second year

A typical second year may include:

investigating how children develop literacy and numeracy understanding through play
pre-service teachers are introduced to teaching language and literacy acquisition whilst also focussing on pedagogies of belonging, relationships, and Indigenous education
a specialised study and placement working with babies aged birth to 2-years

Third year

A typical third year may include:

A 6-week preschool placement
topics in autism education, early reading, preschool numeracy, and the importance of strong relationships
pre-service teachers explore Indigenous approaches to play through bush kindergarten, and create a research project that builds on their educational interests

View study program

Practical experience

Pre-service teachers meet the ACECQA placement requirements for the degree with 80 professional experience days working with children aged birth to 5-years. This commences in first-year with 15-days working in a birth-5 setting of their choice. In second-year pre-service teachers explore the importance of respectful teaching with infants and toddlers with a 25-day placement. In their final year, pre-service teachers apply their understanding of preschool education in a 30-day placement (plus 10 days of visits to early childhood settings) working with children aged 3-5-years.

Practical experience requirements

Working with Children Check
Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect (RRHAN)
Medicare Immunisation evidence may be requested from some placement sites

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The ATAR and Selection Rank profile shows data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR who commenced the course in the previous admission year. As this course is new there is currently no ATAR and Selection Rank data available.

Student Profile

The Student Profile gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in a particular course. It provides data on students who commenced the course in the previous admission year. As this course is new there is currently no Student Profile data available

Add Innovation and Enterprise
to your degree

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders, you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for the careers of tomorrow.

Learn More

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Apply via SATAC

245161 (Bedford Park)

284951 (City)

Apply to transfer internally

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, another Flinders degree you might want to include in your list are:

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth-8)

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

Academic program pathways

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

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Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Study Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) at Flinders

Fast facts