James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

ED1439 - Early Childhood Education and Care 1

SP1/2 External available only to External ECE students. JCU Online campus mode is available only to Online B Ed ECE students enrolled in the carousel offering.

Subject Description

This subject extends on studies of curriculum and pedagogy to include the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG), as it applies to the curriculum decision making the cycle of planning, interacting, monitoring, assessing and reflecting with children from 3 to 5 years of age. Play-based pedagogy is followed up through an examination of age-appropriate pedagogies and intentional teaching strategies. The context of Early Childhood education is further developed through a review of the National Quality Standard; National Laws and Regulations; the Quality Improvement process; national and global curricula and policy; and professional development topics relevant to early childhood education. Ten full days of professional experience in a 3 to 5-year-old setting will offer students the opportunity to link theoretical learning to classroom practice.

Learning Outcomes

• evaluate early childhood practices using a broad and critical understanding of the National Quality Standard, the Quality Improvement Process and the National Laws and Regulations
• design learning experiences that reflect national and global intentional and age-appropriate pedagogies for the engagement and learning of diverse young learners
• formulate a coherent professional identity for early childhood teaching with respect to ethical and safe practices in early childhood settings
• implement the curriculum decision-making cycle of planning, interacting, monitoring, assessing and reflecting on learning sequences for children aged 3 to 5 using the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines
• critically reflect upon the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, the National Quality Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines for an ECE context

Subject Assessment

• Written > Case report 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Portfolio - (60%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Scenario-based learning activity - (20%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Completion of the required 10 days of Professional Experience and submission of both the Professional Experience Attendance Record and the Professional Experience Statement of Completion Report is a requirement to pass this subject. Attendance at Professional Experience Briefings is an essential component of Professional Experience preparation.

Assumed Knowledge:  Assumed knowledge in this subject includes an understanding of learning development of the young child, as studied in ED1481:03 Foundations of Educational Psychology

Availabilities