Early Years education enriches learning in children from birth to five years by giving children the opportunity to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for lifelong learning. It focuses on the significance of early education to foster children’s health, development and wellbeing.

For the duration of this four-year degree Early Years students will engage in continuous professional mentoring through the Professional Partners in Practice (PPP) program. This will give you invaluable sector experience and professional connections that will enhance your employment pathways and opportunities.

Throughout the degree students spend up to 16 weeks teaching in Early Childhood Education and Care Centres and two weeks in the Community and Family sector, complementary to the mentoring experience within the Professional Partners in Practice program.

During your study you will have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

You can study on-campus at Wollongong with weekly classes, or in flexible mode. Flexible delivery means lecture content and other activities will be delivered online, while tutorials will occur during a one week block at Wollongong Campus. Students enrolled in the flexible instance have access to regional campus facilities and student support services.

What you will study

During this degree you will study:

• The development of young children and their connection to family, community, and culture
• Improving education and developmental outcomes for children
• Establishing relationships with children and families
• Cultural and social diversity
• Early intervention and transition to school
• Leadership and advocacy
• Creating physical and social learning environments.

• School teacher 
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Educational consultant 
• Educational manager
• Preschool teacher
• Private college teacher
• Recreational activities coordinator
• Sport development officer
• TAFE teacher
• Training and development officer