James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED3590 - Early Childhood Education and Care 2

Subject Description

Extending on understandings of educational and developmental theories, this subject draws upon the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline to develop pre-service teachers' capacity to enact policy and curriculum. Pre-service teachers will develop an Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority-guided Quality Improvement Plan and enact the curriculum decision-making cycle through theoretical learning and a Professional Experience placement, wherein they will plan, interact, monitor, assess and reflect on their experience. Pre-service teachers will also explore their professional identity through an examination of the historical and sociological roots of Early Childhood Education in Australia, and reflect of their roles as agentic teachers. This subject includes an embedded 10-day Professional Experience placement in a birth to 2-year-old setting, to enable observation, reflection and practical implementation of the learning(s) in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• 3. demonstrate a critical understanding of the how the historical and sociological roots of Early Childhood Education inform the sector today
• 4. apply a critical understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline to support continuing quality improvement in the sector
• 5. synthesise key theories and concepts in Early Childhood Education to respond to authentic scenarios and propose strategies to enhance outcomes for young children
• 1. apply knowledge of Early Childhood frameworks, policy and curriculum in response to Learners' developmental needs by planning, enacting and evaluating teacher-initiated learning experiences
• 2. apply knowledge of play-based and intentional pedagogy within the curriculum decision-making cycle to enhance the learning and development of infants and toddlers in an early-years setting

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Critical incident analysis - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Proposal - (50%) - 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

Complete staggered 10-day Placement, submission of the Professional Experience Attendance Record and Statement of Completion Report is required to pass the subject. Attendance at Professional Experience Workshops meets placement requirement

Availabilities