Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Graduate Certificate of Education (Early Childhood Studies)

Effective from 01-JAN-2021 : Code S74

This course is designed to provide qualified primary school teachers a recognised qualification in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 8 year olds). The course is ACECQA registered and provides the content and pedagogical knowledge of the requirements to teach in the early years. The course is also open to Early Childhood Teachers who would like to retrain for the ACECQA qualification for children from Birth - Pre-Primary age.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

Students are required to complete two professional experience placements: ECE6140 (Investigating Young Children's Holistic Learning and Development) and ECE6160 (Effective Pedagogy and Practice in Early Childhood Contexts) as part of the course. Attendance requirements are: - ECE6140: 10 days in a Birth-2 years setting; and - ECE6160: 30 days in a 3-5 years setting, 20 days in a 5-8 years setting.

Duty of care

The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine 'fit and proper persons' to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all pre-service teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Experience. Further information can be found at http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional- practice/clearances

Attendance requirements

Generally, host Schools and Centres require that the pre-service teachers attend the professional experience on a full-time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular professional experience. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

Enrolment process

Students are required to have completed the theoretical units prior to commencement of ECE6160 Effective Pedagogy and Practice in Early Childhood Contexts.

Professional practice rules

During the professional experience, it is imperative that pre-service teachers always demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-service teachers must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the applicable University policies and rules. The Student Code of Conduct can be found at: http://policysearch.ecu.edu.au/PolicySearch/Record/767/file/document The host School/Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the pre-service teacher’s professional experience prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the School/Centre has had concerns about pre-service teacher's conduct or performance. ECU may also withdraw a pre-service teacher from professional experience in certain circumstances. Early termination or withdrawal from the professional experience placement may result in a Fail grade for this unit.

Implications of failing

The professional experience units are designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the Progression Panel. Failure to pass these units may result in exclusion from the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply high order analytical, problem solving and integrative thinking skills with a high level of personal autonomy when applying early childhood knowledge and skills in undertaking research, engaging in policy development, articulating a personal philosophy and improving teaching practice.
2. Critically reflect using accredited standards, mentor feedback and the ECA Code of Ethics to demonstrate professional decision making and accountability in order to plan for continued collaborative and autonomous professional learning and development.
3. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the ethical, legislative, regulatory and policy requirements that guide high quality provision, leadership, advocacy and review of effective practices across a range of early childhood settings.
4. Demonstrate detailed specialised knowledge and understanding of early childhood development, pedagogy, learning frameworks, content and practices that enable the construction of effective early childhood curriculum for differentiated and engaged learning and teaching for all young children.
5. Ethically utilise a range of communication skills and technologies effectively in designing, evaluating and implementing innovative early childhood programs, reporting children's learning and engaging children, families and communities.
6. Work collaboratively and build positive sustainable relationships with children, colleagues, families and community stakeholders to broaden cultural competence and professional knowledge and practice.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

Students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.0 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components.

Note:

• If secondary education and degree studies were completed in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, applicants do not need to provide proof of English competency.
• Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English and have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have met English language requirements for entry to the Master of Teaching.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have a three-year or four-year primary teaching qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies), Bachelor of Education (Primary), or a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), with equivalents considered.

Course Duration

• Part Time: 1 Year

Course Delivery

• Mount Lawley: Part Time
• Online: Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Pauline Kim ROBERTS

Course Structure

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the School Progression Panel.