Five new teachers have become the first graduates of a flexible new QUT degree that is preparing specialist early childhood teachers for careers working with young children from birth to age five.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) is designed for people who want to teach young children in their foundational years before they get to school, with QUT offering the degree online across Australia as well as on campus in Brisbane.
The degree’s first students already had prior sector experience and a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50125) from TAFE Queensland, which meant they could take the diploma-entry pathway and become a kindergarten/early childhood teacher in 18 months.
School leavers and other aspiring teachers can also enrol in the three-year (full-time) degree without previous early childhood experience or qualifications.
QUT’s multiple pathways to becoming an early childhood teacher also include the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), which qualifies graduates to teach up to Year 3.
Kaela Lowe is one of the new Birth to Five graduates who is already making a difference to young children’s lives as a kindy teacher in rural Queensland.
She attended her mid-year QUT graduation ceremony in August, a month after finishing her degree and starting a new job as the teacher and director of the C&K Meandarra Community Kindergarten in the Western Downs.
Ms Lowe said being able to study online while working at C&K centres in Chinchilla and Tara was “100 per cent” the reason she’d managed to successfully combine work, family and university commitments.
“All the key assessment dates are fixed at the beginning of the semester and I was able to put those into my calendar, schedule my time, and study when it suited me,” she said.
“I was able to do everything at my own pace. I didn’t have to log on at a certain time every week, although there were optional tutorials I could do if I wanted to.”
Ms Lowe said she decided to study teaching at QUT because of the regional teacher shortage and her desire to contribute to the professionalism of early childhood education.
“In rural Queensland there is a real need for qualified and passionate educators in the early childhood sector,” she said.
“When I was a little girl I wanted to be a teacher.
“Now I love the fact that I get to nurture and guide the next generation. What I do today is impacting our future.
“Children are just so resilient, they bring me joy. Every day I go into work and I am guaranteed to be laughing and smiling.”
Professor Terri Bourke, Head of the QUT School of Education, said QUT was committed to offering different pathways to becoming an early childhood teacher.
“We recognise and value the knowledge, skills and experience that educators already bring to their studies and our Birth to Five degree carefully builds on their previous study and professional experience so they can deepen their expertise and qualify as teachers,” she said.
“These new graduates have specialist knowledge in child development, play-based learning, inclusion, trauma-aware education, child safety and working in partnership with families and communities.
“They are now equipped to support children during some of the most important years of their lives.”
Professor Bourke said the course was developed in close partnership with the early childhood sector to ensure graduates were prepared for contemporary practice.
“The design of the degree was informed by an Early Childhood Education Stakeholder Advisory Group that included policy leaders, major employers and sector organisations,” she said.
“Our programs are evidence-based and address the priorities of today’s early childhood sector.
“We offer in-person and online options because our aim is to make study accessible for educators wherever they live and work.”
Students interested in becoming specialist early childhood teachers can visit the QUT course pages for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five), Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) – Diploma Entry, and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
The QUT School of Education also prepares teachers for careers in primary schools and high schools through its Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary), as well as postgraduate and dual degree options.
Main photo at top: Four of QUT's new Birth to Five graduates with their QUT teachers: (left to right) Laina Rodrigues (graduate), Madelyn Hannagan (graduate), Dr Sally Savage, Leticia Korcsmaros (graduate), Professor Sue Irvine and Kaela Lowe (graduate).
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
