Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is a three-year Australian bachelor degree for people who want to teach children from birth to around eight years old. You study how young children learn, how to plan and run a curriculum for them, and how to work with families and communities. Expect units in child development, early literacy and numeracy, play-based learning, behaviour and wellbeing, and the sociology and policy of early childhood. You also learn about the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and how it shapes what happens in a preschool or long day care room.

Like most Australian bachelor degrees, this one runs over three years of full-time study, usually split into semesters or trimesters. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass enough of them to reach the total credit points for the award. There is normally a mix of core units everyone takes and some electives. Because teaching is a practical job, the degree includes supervised professional experience placements in early childhood settings, where you work alongside a qualified educator and build up days in the room. Many programs finish with a final-year capstone or professional portfolio unit that pulls together what you have learned.

The skills you come out with are practical: observing and documenting children's learning, planning experiences that match where a child is at, managing a group, talking with parents, and understanding the regulations and frameworks that govern early childhood services in Australia. You also practise writing reports, working in a team of educators, and reflecting on your own teaching. Assessment is usually a mix of essays, portfolios, placement reports and practical tasks rather than exams alone.

This course suits school leavers and career changers who like working with young children and want a qualification that leads to registration or accreditation as an early childhood teacher. It also suits people already working in childcare who want to move into a teaching role. Entry usually requires Year 12 or equivalent, and international applicants need to show English proficiency. For teaching courses, Australian providers often ask for a higher IELTS score than other degrees, so check the exact requirement on the official page. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 118494D. Confirm current entry requirements, placement arrangements and fees with Lincoln Education Australia before you apply.

• Early childhood teacher in preschools, kindergartens and long day care centres
• Educator or room leader in an early learning service
• Kindergarten teacher in a school setting
• Family day care coordinator or educational leader
• Early intervention assistant working with children who need extra support
• Playgroup or community program facilitator
• Curriculum or resource developer for early childhood services

Graduates work across the Australian early childhood sector, including not-for-profit and private long day care providers, community preschools, and government-funded kindergarten programs. Some move into policy, training or family support roles after a few years in the room. International graduates may be able to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and while studying, a Student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight. Check your visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.