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Studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) allows you to profoundly influence young minds during their most critical developmental stages, fostering a love for learning and curiosity that lasts a lifetime. By shaping the foundational experiences of children, you play a pivotal role in their emotional, social, and cognitive growth, setting them up for future success.
Make a difference
Studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) allows you to profoundly influence young minds during their most critical developmental stages, fostering a love for learning and curiosity that lasts a lifetime. By shaping the foundational experiences of children, you play a pivotal role in their emotional, social, and cognitive growth, setting them up for future success.
Highlights
- Expand your current skills and professional knowledge in early childhood and education and lay the foundation for lifelong learning, development and well-being.
- Study a course designed for educators currently working in, or with the experience in, early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings to become degree-qualified early childhood teacher in as little as 1.5 years.
- Engage and learn with other educators through online workshops that connects theory, research and practice.
- Graduate with a qualification that is recognised nationally by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and be employed as an early childhood teacher in ECEC settings.
- Obtain a degree that can provide a pathway to ongoing learning and career opportunities in education.
Highlights
- Build skills and professional knowledge to lay down the foundation for lifelong development and well-being of young learners.
- Engage and learn with other students and educators through online workshops that connect theory, research and practice.
- Graduate with a qualification that is recognised nationally by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and be employed as an early childhood teacher in early childhood and care (ECEC) settings.
- Obtain a degree that can provide a pathway to ongoing learning and career opportunities in education.
Why choose this course?
Lay down the foundation for lifelong development and well-being by studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five).
This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to make a profound impact in an evolving field, where QUT has been preparing specialist early childhood teachers for more than 100 years, and our graduates are known for their early childhood expertise.
This degree will help you develop skills such as policy development, engagement in education and training, delivery of learning programs and advocacy work in other child and family contexts. Upon completion, you will hold a professional early childhood teacher qualification, setting you up for a rewarding career in early childhood education and care settings.
If you’re interested in teaching in ECEC settings as well as prep to year 3 in primary schools, then study QUT’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
Pathways
This degree also provides a pathway to further qualifications and career opportunities in education. Graduates from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education who later wish to teach in schools may be eligible for entry into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary programs).
Why choose this course?
Establish the groundwork for lifelong growth and well-being by studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five). This course is designed for those motivated to become an early childhood teacher in early childhood education and care settings.
Those that already hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (or an equivalent qualification) and have at least two years of work experience in early childhood education and care are eligible to complete their degree in as little as 1.5 years.
This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to make a profound impact in an evolving field, where QUT has been preparing specialist early childhood teachers for more than 100 years, and our graduates are known for their early childhood expertise.
This degree will help you develop skills, such as policy development, engagement in education and training, delivery of learning programs and advocacy work in other child and family contexts. Upon completion, you will hold a professional early childhood teacher qualification, setting you up for a rewarding career in early childhood education and care settings. If you’re interested in teaching in ECEC settings as well as prep to year 3 in primary schools, then study QUT’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
Pathways
This degree also provides a pathway to further qualifications and career opportunities in education. Graduates from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education who later wish to teach in schools will be eligible for entry into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary programs).
Real-world learning
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) requires a total of 81 days of professional experience, with at least 40 days in a kindergarten setting. If you’re currently employed in an early childhood education or care setting, you can complete up to two placements at your current workplace, provided the settings meet agreed conditions to ensure the quality and integrity of supervised professional experience.
Through these professional experience placements, you will develop your knowledge of theory, curriculum and effective pedagogy in ECEC to support and extend children's learning while also learning about the role of leaders in creating and sustaining effective environments for collaboration and teamwork. Our expert teaching staff will inspire you to push boundaries, be curious and innovate – qualities you will in turn foster in the students you teach.
Real-world learning
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) requires a total of 81 days of professional experience. This is made up of:
- 55 days professional experience, including 15 days working with young children from birth to 3 years, and at least 40 days working with children in a kindergarten setting; and,
- 26 days work integrated learning project
There is opportunity to complete one professional experience placement and all work integrated learning projects at your current place of employment, provided the setting meets agreed conditions to ensure the quality and integrity of supervised professional experience.
Through these professional experience placements, you will connect theory, research and practice and expand your professional knowledge and skills to support and extend children's learning while also learning about the role of teachers as leaders in creating and sustaining effective environments for collaboration and teamwork. Our expert teaching staff will inspire you to push boundaries, be curious and innovate, learning dispositions that you will in turn foster in the children you teach.
Explore this course
Recognising the impact of the early years on children's learning, development and wellbeing, there is growing demand for degree-qualified early childhood teachers to teach in prior-to-school early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings across Australia and overseas. This degree is your opportunity to be in demand and make a difference to the lives of children aged birth to five years before they begin their schooling journey.
As part of this course, you will;
- Learn best practices in early childhood settings, focusing on play-based learning that enhances children’s strengths, interests, and self-regulation.
- Understand the challenges and opportunities in promoting children’s rights and safety and learn to advocate against harm and exploitation.
- Gain insights into the diversity and evolving nature of contemporary childhoods, families, and communities.
- Develop skills to lead, plan, implement, and evaluate health practices in early childhood settings, balancing individual children’s health needs.
- Use socio-cultural and sociological theories to understand students’ diverse backgrounds, and address Indigenous Australian education.
- Consider the role of digital technologies in early childhood learning and teaching.
- Explore professional responsibilities and engage in effective communication and collaboration with families and other child and family services.
- Develop the ability to understand learners with complex profiles and plan curriculum adjustments for inclusive classrooms in early childhood contexts.
Careers and outcomes
On completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- teach in prior-to-school early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, including kindergarten/preschool, long day care, and family day care
- become an educational leader responsible for leading educational programs and practices in an ECEC setting
- take on other service leadership roles such as director in an ECEC centre or coordinator in a family day care or outside school hours care service.
Professional recognition
Upon graduating from this course, you will hold a professional early childhood teacher qualification that is recognised nationally by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
This course will not lead to primary or secondary teacher registration. Students looking to attain accreditation to teach in primary schools may also consider the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or Bachelor of Education (Primary) courses. Alternatively, graduates can apply for entry into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) and Master of Teaching (Primary) programs.
Possible careers
- Early childhood teacher
- Early childhood specialist
- Kindergarten teacher
- Preschool teacher
Students undertake 288 credit points comprising:
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education core units - 252 credit points
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education option units - 12 credit points
- QUT You - 24 credit points
Students undertake 288 credit points comprising:
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education core units - 252 credit points
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education option units - 12 credit points
- QUT You - 24 credit points
- Course code
- ED34
- QTAC code
- 404012
- CRICOS code
- 116650B
-
- Online
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 3 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
- 2026 is the first year this course will be offered to international students.
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
Entry requirements
You must have:
- A completed Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent)
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent) work experience in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / IELTS One Skills Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Blue card
This course requires you to have a blue card so you can participate in work placements and experience.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP fees available from September
2025 fees
2025: $36,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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