Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)

Rules

1. Accreditation requirements mandate that pre-service teachers in a four year program undertake supervised professional experience of no less than 105 days in a formal education setting. Preservice teachers are assessed against the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Standards and are awarded a non-graded pass (NGP). Preservice teachers in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) will undertake 20 days professional experience placement in a child care setting and 30 days in an a preschool setting in order to meet industry requirements as part of the minimum required 105 days.

2. Preservice teachers are required to take the four Professional Experience courses in sequence. All Professional Experience days and blocks must be taken on a continuous full-time basis regardless of whether a preservice teacher is studying in a part-time or full-time mode.

3. Preservice teachers will be required to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWCC) through the Department of Human Services (DHS). The clearance will be valid for five years. The WWCC must be completed prior to being accepted for a placement and can take up to six to eight weeks to be processed. Strict confidentiality is maintained during the DHS clearance process. If a preservice teacher fails to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity that a preservice teacher may require to complete the course of study. If preservice teachers cannot undertake a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity which is a compulsory part of the program, they cannot graduate with an Education Degree from UniSA.

4. Preservice teachers enrolled in programs in UniSA Education Futures and who are completing any in-school or site (ie preschools and childcare settings) observations, activities or professional experience placements, must undertake mandatory training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect prior to the commencement of the activities or placements. In South Australia child protection legislation and policy require all organisations to establish and promote child safe environments. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect training is required of all individuals working with children and young people. All preservice teachers undertaking professional experience placements in South Australian government and nongovernment schools and preschools must provide documented evidence (ie a certificate) that shows they have completed all the required training from one of the providers mentioned on the following website. For more information go to the UniSA Education Futures Pre-requisites and Requirements web page.

5. Preservice teachers must complete and provide evidence of completion of Basic Emergency Life Support or Applied First Aid before commencing this course.

6. All preservice teachers must meet the required standard in the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) to be eligible for program completion and graduation. Preservice teachers will attempt LANTITE as they progress through their program. Preservice teachers will be required to successfully achieve both the literacy and numeracy components of LANTITE as a prerequisite for enrolment in their final Professional Experience Placement course. The University will provide a range of supports for preservice teachers to help them achieve the required standard. Preservice teachers will be allowed three attempts at each test. Any preservice teacher who fails to meet the standard on three occasions in either the literacy or numeracy test will be counselled regarding options.

Notes

1. This course is part of the Education Studies component of the program which comprises 10 courses (45 units).

2. This course is part of the Curriculum Studies component of the program which comprises 11 courses (49.5 units).

3. The Primary Specialism component of the program comprises 3 x 4.5 unit courses (13.5 units) chosen from one of the Primary Specialisms listed above.

4. In 4th year, students must complete one Elective as part of their undergraduate program from the Electives list above.

5. Primary specialisms offered on-campus at Magill: Arts, English, Mathematics/Science, Religious Education (Catholic Studies), Languages.

6. Primary specialisms offered on-campus at Mawson Lakes: Arts, Religious Education (Catholic Studies).

7. Primary specialisms offered in external mode: Arts, English, Mathematics/Science.

8. This course is part of the Professional Experience component of the program which comprises 4 courses (31.5 units).

9. This course may be used to calculate the honours grade for the program.