Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies

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1 Bachelor of Early Understanding who we are begins with inquiring minds

2 Bachelor of Early Understanding who we are begins with inquiring minds You are an early childhood professional who respects the children you work with. You get asked a lot of questions. You have a lot of questions. Education at Monash provides the answers. The Bachelor of Early (BECS) program is designed for people who want a deeper understanding of early childhood development theory and practice. It builds on the investment you have already made to your profession and your career by working in child care and the knowledge you have acquired as a result. Whether it s for career advancement and a desire to take on leadership or management roles in early childhood settings, or because your commitment to working with children has meant you want to investigate and explore the science of early childhood learning and development, this course is for you. At Monash, we respect that you will come to this course with extensive practical experience and thinking you have gained from your employment working with children. We recognise this learning and it is why we offer recognition of prior learning for the first year of the degree leaving two more (full time) for you to complete. The Bachelor of Early opens the way for your experience and knowledge to be expanded and for you to gain a degree in your chosen profession. But this course is not just about learning new things. It is also about contributing to the changing and growing body of knowledge about early childhood development. At Monash, you do this by taking part in research programs that have and will change the way we think and practice the enhancement of early childhood learning and development. And we really put theory into practice; Monash has its own state of the art early childhood centre staffed with our own graduates and used by our students, staff and the broader community. Students use the observation facilities for research and learning as well as some students completing fieldwork at the site. Research excellence be a part of it Is context everything? Or is learning in children a linear building block process? At Monash, we ve been learning about learning by starting at the beginning. What makes the difference to how much, and how well, children learn? The academic staff at the Faculty of Education at Monash University have an excellent reputation for pursuing and publishing the newest thinking in early childhood development. They are widely recognised as leaders in the field of early childhood education. Because of the research they do, they have been at the forefront of changing the way we think about how children develop and why we become the adults we become and operate in the ways we do.

3 The faculty publishes the peer-reviewed journal Australian Research in Early Childhood Education which generates discussion and debate nationally and showcases the latest research and findings in early childhood learning. Global outlook A global outlook isn t just about different countries it is also about different cultures including our own indigenous cultures. Monash works in consultation with interstate and overseas communities and educators to ensure that there is a healthy exchange of ideas and practices between local and international early childhood carers, teachers and students. The cultural diversity of our staff and students enriches the Monash community; enhancing the opportunities to draw upon differing experiences to bring a global perspective to our teaching and research. Professional recognition Bachelor of Early graduates will be recognised by Early Childhood Australia (Victoria) as being qualified for appointment as pre-school teachers, childcare professionals and within other children s services and specialist early childhood settings in Victoria. Course content The Bachelor of Early covers the essential learning to teach children to develop their creative, physical, personal, intellectual and social capacities and their early literacy and numeracy skills. Subjects also cover the areas of the importance of contexts and issues in family studies, teaching children with special needs and professional issues. The units offered are designed to allow you time and information to encourage critical reflection on contemporary issues in early childhood education, family studies and teacher research, and to gain a deeper understanding of child development, learning theories and early childhood teaching. For details about subjects visit coursemaps/3708.html Alternative course option The Faculty of Education also offers an alternative course for those wishing to enter this field. The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) is a four-year degree course that requires completion of the VCE (or equivalent) for admission. Further information about this course can be found at Flexible delivery to suit real people This course is delivered at the Peninsula campus, where you can choose from full-time or part-time study modes. There is also the option of an intensive delivery mode undertaken at the Monash Melbourne City campus. Students at the city campus study part-time, engaging in face-to-face workshops over one weekend per term. Most students of this course are employed full or part-time, in addition to having family and carer responsibilities. Monash recognises that students of this course come with real life (and work) experience and respects that these need to be balanced with the desire to acquire a degree through further study. Completion of undergraduate level studies in early childhood can set you on a pathway to masters and doctoral level studies with an early childhood focus. BECE VCE or equivalent PhD Honours /Master of Education BECS Diploma

4 Professor Marilyn Fleer Director for the Centre for Research into Well grounded in the practicalities of early childhood settings, Professor Fleer began her career as an early childhood teacher before moving into government department roles which included working with indigenous education. She arrived at Monash University in 2002 after a stint at Canberra University where she lectured and researched her way from lecturer to professor. On the local and international stage Professor Fleer brings wide policy experience where she has advised governments and intergovernment agencies, ministers and premiers on childhood learning and development. She is widely published, including co-authoring several books on how children learn, and how that learning and development is affected by the culture and society they experience. Her particular research interests and expertise include: cross-cultural research, early childhood science education, technology education, and the building of new theoretical tools to support early childhood education. She works with students to pursue these lines of inquiry and remains fascinated by the minds of children and the science of learning, believing that this is the foundation of how we have come to be a community and a society that lives and operates the way we do. People who are interested in this course are people who love kids and have great experience in working with children, but they are also professionals who want to understand the human mind in alls its complexity from the beginning and what sorts of practices help best develop children s abilities and thinking, she explained. You are not just consumers of knowledge in this course. We want and need you to be a part of creating and producing knowledge knowledge that changes how we think about the science of early childhood learning. I have loved working with young children for most of my life. To me they are the most important and influential people and to have the opportunities to learn how best to educate and provide for them, it s a privilege. Hollie Smith Current student, Bachelor of Early

5 Student profile Jenny Bourke Current student, Bachelor of Early Having worked in child care for several years, and already gained a Diploma in Child Care, Jenny decided to return to study as a mature age student. I wanted to broaden and extend my teaching abilities and knowledge as well as expand my future employment opportunities. It has been daunting at times being back in the learning environment but also extremely rewarding. Jenny says she has found support and inspiration in staff and student peers. Speaking of one of her mentors, Jenny says; Her knowledge of teaching, theory and research with young children astounds and inspires me. Personally she has also been a great support and mentor to me right from the beginning and continues to be. a fellow student also inspires me. She is studying as well as raising a young family. We have become good friends who met through the course who assist and support each other with our study. It s great to talk things through with someone you trust and who understands what study involves. Peninsula campus has been a great place to study. The campus has good facilities and a great atmosphere. Everyone on campus has always been friendly and helpful. There is always a place to go to get help or assistance if needed. Admission requirements The admission requirements for this course are: A Diploma of Children s Services or equivalent from an Australian registered training organisation such as a TAFE or private training provider; and/or Other qualifications and experience deemed by the faculty to be equivalent to or a satisfactory substitute Applicants must also meet the English language requirements for Undergraduate courses. For up-to-date information on English language requirements visit: prospective/english-requirements/ If you meet these requirements, you can be admitted to the course with one year advanced standing, which means that you only need to complete an equivalent of two years full time study to complete the degree. You also need To provide a valid Working with Children Check (WCC). All students require a WCC card to complete fieldwork in schools and early childhood settings. Apply through participating Australia Post outlets and provide evidence that the Check has been completed with your application or before fieldwork. Fees Commonwealth supported places Australian and New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents and holders of humanitarian visas are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Students in a Commonwealth Supported Place make a partial contribution to the total cost of their education, with the Commonwealth government contributing the remainder of the cost. For more information on fees visit Course fees Indicative fees for 8 units (one year full-time) for a CSP (2010) place is $5310. Visit for more information. Applications If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or a citizen of New Zealand, your application must be made directly to the Faculty of Education. You can apply by paper application form or via eadmissions. Visit ugdirectappform.html International students Monash hosts many international students in the Faculty of Education and is proud to bring together people from throughout Australia and the world who are united in their dedication and commitment to early childhood learning and development. The exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience, coupled with the examination of the theory, practice and outcomes across cultural borders is an essential part of the Early Childhood Learning course and research program. If you are a prospective international student and want to apply to the Bachelor of Early degree, you must apply through a registered Monash University agent, or direct to the University. Monash can provide accommodation assistance, airport reception, referrals to university services to assist you to settle in, and help with health cover/insurance (all overseas students must have Overseas Student Health Cover), visa renewals and immigration issues. If you are considering studying at Monash, you should consult the Undergraduate Course Guide 2010 because it will provide you with important information about Australian Government requirements and conditions for study in Australia. Fees Indicative fees for 8 units (one year fulltime) for an International student (2010) is A$21,950. Visit study/international/fees.html for more information.

6 Faculty of Education Peninsula campus McMahons Rd Frankston Vic 3199 Postal address PO Box 527 Frankston Vic 3199 Telephone [email protected] Clayton campus Wellington Rd Clayton Vic 3800 Postal address Building 6 Monash University Vic 3800 Telephone [email protected] Gippsland campus Northways Rd Churchill Vic 3842 Postal address Northways Rd Churchill Vic 3842 Telephone [email protected] CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C CRICOS course provider code: E Information is correct at the time of printing, but Monash University reserves the right to alter procedures, fees and regulations should the need arise. Students should carefully read all official correspondence, and other sources of information for students (such as the website) to be aware of changes to information contained in this document October P-352