Department of Early Childhood Education
Our students, teachers and researchers explore teaching and learning in early childhood. A focus on pedagogy, inclusion and sustainability underpins our work. This supports our pre-service teachers to celebrate, nurture and cater for individual differences, recognising that learning occurs along individual trajectories.
Our courses draw on the latest research both in Australia and internationally to deliver modern, innovative and relevant content that helps our pre-service teachers to think critically and creatively about their roles in delivering a high-quality, playful education experience for children.
Our courses
Our courses recognise that most of our pre-service teachers are already early childhood educators who bring a range of experience in the field. You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (also called ‘Advanced Standing’) for aspects of the qualifications and experience you bring to your studies. We aim to strengthen your ability to consolidate and extend children’s learning and development so that children reach their potential in learning and life. We are passionate about new ideas, possibilities and your professional growth.
We are introducing the first two years of our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and Care) in the third trimester of 2024. If you enrol at the start of the first year of study, you will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of subject areas (units) across UNE from SEOL210 Dinosaurs! to PSYCH101 Introductory Psychology I and AFM112 Introduction to Management Accounting and many other electives.
Choosing the units that interest you will help you to tailor your qualification in line with your personal interests and career aspirations.
Rural student university experience
As a regional university in Australia that developed from a vision to deliver quality teacher training to serve regional and remote Australia, we remain passionate about regional communities. Whether working with regional and remote schools and universities around the globe, or here in Australia and New England, we aim to ensure all have access to quality education and teacher education training. However, our students are based around the country and many join our online classes from metropolitan centres such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hobart.
Our team
Find our Early Childhood Education team member on our staff contact information page.
Our research
We regularly participate in projects of national and international significance. Our strong research interest improves our students’ experience and delivers better outcomes in early childhood education settings and in our communities.
Our research adds to the evidence base for best practice contemporary teaching and learning methods and members of our team contribute to various research groups within the School of Education
Child-centred early childhood education
Through regular research collaborations with international colleagues and many professional affiliations, our researchers bring a range of child-centred and play-based approaches to the fore as the vehicle for learning in early childhood. A focus on learning trajectories is woven through our units. Learning is cumulative: as children acquire knowledge and capabilities, these become a platform for new knowledge and capabilities.
From this starting point, our team’s expertise invites our students to engage with both long-recognised and emerging early childhood education philosophies and practices in Australia and around the world.
Contact us
To find out more about our department, please contact:
Head of Department, Early Childhood Education:
Email: eduhod-des@une.edu.au
Course coordinators:
Email: cc-ed-eceeds@une.edu.au
Email: cc-ed-eceeds@une.edu.au
